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At least 163 records · Page 9

Human Health Risk Assessment Simulations in a Distributed Environment for Shuttle Launch

During the launch of a rocket under prevailing weather conditions, commanders at Cape Canaveral Air Force station evaluate the possibility of whether wind blown toxic emissions might reach civilian and military personnel in the near by area. In our model, we focused mainly on Hydrogen chloride (HCL), Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and Nitric acid (HNO3), which are non-carcinogenic chemicals as per United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) classification. We have used the hazard quotient model to estimate the number of people at risk. It is based on the number of people with exposure above a reference exposure level that is unlikely to cause adverse health effects. The risk to the exposed population is calculated by multiplying the individual risk and the number in exposed population. The risk values are compared against the acceptable risk values and GO or NO-go situation is decided based on risk values for the Shuttle launch. The entire model is simulated over the web and different scenaria can be generated which allows management to choose an optimum decision.

Thirumalainambi, Rajkumar

HYDRA : High-speed simulation architecture for precision spacecraft formation simulation

e Hierarchical Distributed Reconfigurable Architecture- is a scalable simulation architecture that provides flexibility and ease-of-use which take advantage of modern computation and communication hardware. It also provides the ability to implement distributed - or workstation - based simulations and high-fidelity real-time simulation from a common core. Originally designed to serve as a research platform for examining fundamental challenges in formation flying simulation for future space missions, it is also finding use in other missions and applications, all of which can take advantage of the underlying Object-Oriented structure to easily produce distributed simulations. Hydra automates the process of connecting disparate simulation components (Hydra Clients) through a client server architecture that uses high-level descriptions of data associated with each client to find and forge desirable connections (Hydra Services) at run time. Services communicate through the use of Connectors, which abstract messaging to provide single-interface access to any desired communication protocol, such as from shared-memory message passing to TCP/IP to ACE and COBRA. Hydra shares many features with the HLA, although providing more flexibility in connectivity services and behavior overriding.

formation flying

Pressure and heat-transfer distributions in a simulated wing-elevon cove with variable leakage at a free-stream Mach number of 6.9

A concern that ingestion of hot boundary-layer gas past a small, localized seal failure in the cove between the Space Shuttle wing and elevon might threaten unprotected elevon structures led to wind-tunnel tests to define cove environment as a function of leak area. The tests were conducted in the Langley 8-foot high-temperatures structures tunnel using a full-scale representation of the Space Shuttle wing-elevon juncture on the reentry surface. Pressure and heating rates were obtained for both attached and separated turbulent flows on the wing at the cove entrance. Results indicated that (1) for attached turbulent flow on the wing, cove heating progressively increased in severity independent of leak aspect ratio as leak area increased to 100 percent of cove entrance area and (2), for separated turbulent flow over the wing, cove environment was intolerably severe.

Deveikis, W. D.

The role of the sea-surface temperature distribution on numerically simulated cyclogenesis during ERICA

The goal was to quantify the extent to which a sea surface temperature (SST) front can influence cyclogenesis. The approach was to use the Drexel Limited-Area Mesoscale Prediction System (LAMPS) dynamical model to simulate cyclogenesis over various SST fields. Research during the past year focused on the development and testing of a four dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) technique within LAMPS. The technique is a continuous dynamical assimilation where forcing terms are added to the governing model equations to gradually nudge the model solution toward a gridded analysis. Here, the nudging is used as a dynamic initialization tool during a 12 hour preforecast to generate model balanced initial conditions for a subsequent 24 hour numerical prediction. Tests were performed to determine which variables to nudge and how to specify the four dimensional weighting function used to scale the nudging terms. To date, optimal results were obtained by nudging the u and v components of the wind along with the potential temperature. The weighting function ranged from 0 to 1 and varies in time as a quadratic polynomial. It was initialized at 0, reached its maximum at 9 hours into the preforecast, and fell back at 0 to 12 hours. The nudging terms are included in the model equations for all grid points except those within the model predicted oceanic boundary layer. This design attempts to confine changes imposed by the specified SST field to the oceanic boundary layer during the preforecast period.

Lapenta, William M.

High Level Architecture Distributed Space System Simulation for Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization Simulation Smackdown

Modeling and Simulation plays a very important role in mission design. It not only reduces design cost, but also prepares astronauts for their mission tasks. The SISO Smackdown is a simulation event that facilitates modeling and simulation in academia. The scenario of this year s Smackdown was to simulate a lunar base supply mission. The mission objective was to transfer Earth supply cargo to a lunar base supply depot and retrieve He-3 to take back to Earth. Federates for this scenario include the environment federate, Earth-Moon transfer vehicle, lunar shuttle, lunar rover, supply depot, mobile ISRU plant, exploratory hopper, and communication satellite. These federates were built by teams from all around the world, including teams from MIT, JSC, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Bordeaux from France, and University of Genoa from Italy. This paper focuses on the lunar shuttle federate, which was programmed by the USRP intern team from NASA JSC. The shuttle was responsible for provide transportation between lunar orbit and the lunar surface. The lunar shuttle federate was built using the NASA standard simulation package called Trick, and it was extended with HLA functions using TrickHLA. HLA functions of the lunar shuttle federate include sending and receiving interaction, publishing and subscribing attributes, and packing and unpacking fixed record data. The dynamics model of the lunar shuttle was modeled with three degrees of freedom, and the state propagation was obeying the law of two body dynamics. The descending trajectory of the lunar shuttle was designed by first defining a unique descending orbit in 2D space, and then defining a unique orbit in 3D space with the assumption of a non-rotating moon. Finally this assumption was taken away to define the initial position of the lunar shuttle so that it will start descending a second after it joins the execution. VPN software from SonicWall was used to connect federates with RTI during testing and the Smackdown event. HLA software from Pitch Technology and MAK Technology were used to edit and extend FOM and provide HLA services for federation execution. The SISO Smackdown event for 2011 was held in Boston, Massachusetts. The federation execution lasted for one hour, and the event was very successful in catching the attention of university students and faculties.

Li, Zuqun

Real-time hierarchically distributed processing network interaction simulation

The Telerobot Testbed is a hierarchically distributed processing system which is linked together through a standard, commercial Ethernet. Standard Ethernet systems are primarily designed to manage non-real-time information transfer. Therefore, collisions on the net (i.e., two or more sources attempting to send data at the same time) are managed by randomly rescheduling one of the sources to retransmit at a later time interval. Although acceptable for transmitting noncritical data such as mail, this particular feature is unacceptable for real-time hierarchical command and control systems such as the Telerobot. Data transfer and scheduling simulations, such as token ring, offer solutions to collision management, but do not appropriately characterize real-time data transfer/interactions for robotic systems. Therefore, models like these do not provide a viable simulation environment for understanding real-time network loading. A real-time network loading model is being developed which allows processor-to-processor interactions to be simulated, collisions (and respective probabilities) to be logged, collision-prone areas to be identified, and network control variable adjustments to be reentered as a means of examining and reducing collision-prone regimes that occur in the process of simulating a complete task sequence.

Zimmerman, W. F.

System Engineering Strategy for Distributed Multi-Purpose Simulation Architectures

This paper describes the system engineering approach used to develop distributed multi-purpose simulations. The multi-purpose simulation architecture focuses on user needs, operations, flexibility, cost and maintenance. This approach was used to develop an International Space Station (ISS) simulator, which is called the International Space Station Integrated Simulation (ISIS)1. The ISIS runs unmodified ISS flight software, system models, and the astronaut command and control interface in an open system design that allows for rapid integration of multiple ISS models. The initial intent of ISIS was to provide a distributed system that allows access to ISS flight software and models for the creation, test, and validation of crew and ground controller procedures. This capability reduces the cost and scheduling issues associated with utilizing standalone simulators in fixed locations, and facilitates discovering unknowns and errors earlier in the development lifecycle. Since its inception, the flexible architecture of the ISIS has allowed its purpose to evolve to include ground operator system and display training, flight software modification testing, and as a realistic test bed for Exploration automation technology research and development.

Bhula, Dlilpkumar

Benchmarking Model Variants in Development of a Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation System

Distributed engine control architecture presents a significant increase in complexity over traditional implementations when viewed from the perspective of system simulation and hardware design and test. Even if the overall function of the control scheme remains the same, the hardware implementation can have a significant effect on the overall system performance due to differences in the creation and flow of data between control elements. A Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation system is under development at NASA Glenn Research Center that enables the exploration of these hardware dependent issues. The system is based on, but not limited to, the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation 40k (C-MAPSS40k). This paper describes the step-by-step conversion from the self-contained baseline model to the hardware in the loop model, and the validation of each step. As the control model hardware fidelity was improved during HIL system development, benchmarking simulations were performed to verify that engine system performance characteristics remained the same. The results demonstrate the goal of the effort; the new HIL configurations have similar functionality and performance compared to the baseline C-MAPSS40k system.

Networked Systems

Transport processes in the stratosphere: Model simulations and comparisons with satellite observations

A three dimensional atmospheric model was used to study transport processes and to simulate the distribution of chemically active species in the stratosphere. The present results are part of a long term simulation of the seasonally varying structure of stratospheric trace constituents. The occurrence of a midwinter stratospheric warming and the associated transport of O3 and HNO3 during the simulation are described. Comparison of the simulated distributions of O3 and HNO3 are made with data from the Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS) experiment. In addition, distributions of Ertel's potential vorticity on isentropic surfaces (IPV) are evaluated as a diagnostic for interpreting transport processes. Comparisons are made with IPV distributions inferred from LIMS temperature data.

Grose, W. L.

Benchmarking Model Variants in Development of a Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation System

Distributed engine control architecture presents a significant increase in complexity over traditional implementations when viewed from the perspective of system simulation and hardware design and test. Even if the overall function of the control scheme remains the same, the hardware implementation can have a significant effect on the overall system performance due to differences in the creation and flow of data between control elements. A Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation system is under development at NASA Glenn Research Center that enables the exploration of these hardware dependent issues. The system is based on, but not limited to, the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation 40k (C-MAPSS40k). This paper describes the step-by-step conversion from the self-contained baseline model to the hardware in the loop model, and the validation of each step. As the control model hardware fidelity was improved during HIL system development, benchmarking simulations were performed to verify that engine system performance characteristics remained the same. The results demonstrate the goal of the effort; the new HIL configurations have similar functionality and performance compared to the baseline C-MAPSS40k system.

Propulsion Simulation

Simulated Craters on Venus

The thick atmosphere of Venus prevents all but the largest impactors from cratering the surface. The number of small craters on Venus provides an interesting, and statistically significant test of models for the disruption and deceleration of impacting bodies. Here we compare Monte Carlo simulated crater distributions to the observed crater distribution on Venus. The simulation assumes: (1) a power law mass distribution for impactors of the form N(sub cum) alpha m (exp-b) where b=0.8; (2) isotropic incidence angles; (3) velocity at the top of the atmosphere of 20 kilometers per second (more realistic velocity distributions are also considered); (4) Schmidt-Housen crater scaling, modified such that only the normal component of the impact velocity contributes to cratering, and using crater slumping as parameterized (5) and modern populations (60% carbonaceous, 40% stone, 3% iron) and fluxes of asteroids. We use our previously developed model for the disruption and deceleration of large bodies striking thick planetary atmospheres to calculate the impact velocity at the surface as a function of impactor mass, incident velocity, and incident angle. We use a drag coefficient c(sub d) =1; other parameters are as described in Chyba et al. We set a low velocity cutoff of 500 meters per second on crater-forming impacts. Venus's craters are nicely matched by the simulated craters produced by 700 million years of striking asteroids. Shown for comparison are the simulated craters produced by incident comets over the same period, where for comets we have assumed b=0.7 and a flux at 10(exp 14) g 30% that of asteroids. Systematic uncertainties in crater scaling and crater slumping may make the surface age uncertain by a factor of two.

Zahnle, Kevin

Transonic pressure and load distributions for a group of simulated launch vehicles

Pressure and load distributions for a related group of simulated launch vehicle configurations are presented. The configurations were selected so that the nose cone and interstage transition flare components were relatively close to one another and subject to mutual interference effects. Tests extended over a Mach number range from 0.40 to 1.20 at angles of attack from 0 deg to about 10 deg. The test Reynolds numbers, based on main stage diameter, were of the order of 0.00000098.

Kelly, T. C.

Caustic-induced features in microlensing magnification probability distributions

Numerical simulations have uncovered a previously unrecognized 'bump' in the macroimage magnification probabilities produced by a planar distribution of point masses. The result could be relevant to cases of microlensing by star fields in single galaxies, for which this lensing geometry is an excellent approximation. The bump is produced by bright pairs of microimages formed by sources lying near the caustics of the lens. The numerically calculated probabilities for the magnifications in the range between 3 and 30 are significantly higher than those given by the asymptotic relation derived by Schneider. The bump present in the two-dimensional lenses appears not to exist in the magnification probability distribution produced by a fully three-dimensional lens.

Rauch, Kevin P.

A Simulation to Study Speed Distributions in a Solar Plasma

We have carried out a numerical simulation of a plasma with characteristics similar to those found in the core of the Sun. Particular emphasis is placed on the Coulomb interaction between the ions and electrons, which could result in a relative velocity distribution different from the Maxwell-Boltzmann (MB) distribution generally assumed for a plasma. The fact that the distribution may not exactly follow the MB distribution could have very important consequences for a variety of problems in solar physics, especially the neutrino problem. Very briefly, the neutrino problem is that the observed neutrino detections from the Sun are smaller than what the standard solar theory predicts. In Section I we introduce the problem and in section II we discuss the approach to try to solve the problem: i.e., a molecular dynamics approach. In section III we provide details about the integration method, and any simplifications that can be applied to the problem. In section IV (the core of this report) we state our results. First for the specific case of 1000 particles and then for other cases with different number of particles. In section V we summarize our findings and state our conclusions. Sections VI VII and VIII provide the list of figures, reference material and acknowledgements respectively.

Cheeseman, Peter

Designing a Distributed Web-based Simulation Environment for Enabling Autonomous Systems Research

In the continued pursuit of creating a future with robust Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations defined as safe and efficient air traffic operations in metropolitan environments for both piloted and autonomous systems, development of the concepts, technologies, and procedures to establish this UAM ecosystem remains an active area of research. In particular, as autonomous systems continue to grow in both complexity and use throughout UAM concepts the need for simulation environments to both test individual components and systems and to study the complex interactions between them is paramount. In this paper we address design considerations, technologies, and challenges of adapting native simulation environment application concepts to an interactive and distributed web-based framework. The proposed web-based design allows for easier and wider access for developing, testing, integrating, and studying emergent behaviors of complex autonomous systems interaction. We demonstrate the utility of the proposed approach by showing multi-agent interaction and emergent behavior in two scenarios: (1) autonomous urban air mobility vehicles flying in a convoy and (2) interaction of a convoy with a search and rescue operation.

Benjamin N Kelley

Evolving the SpaceFOM: Lessons Learned and Future Development

For over fifty years, simulation has been a cornerstone technology for space missions. In many cases, one single simulator, developed by one team, is not enough to meet the simulation objectives. Astronaut crew training, docking, vehicle testing and complex mission planning all require several simulations to be connected and to interoperate, in order to achieve the goal of the simulation. To facilitate the development of interoperable simulations, an open standard, the SISO SpaceFOM was developed in collaboration between government, industry and academia. The standard was released in 2020. The initial release of SpaceFOM focuses on the core interoperability topics for space simulation: (i) specifying spatial data using several, well defined reference frames, (ii) managing time (including real-time, hard real-time, and as-fast-as-possible execution), (iii) composition of systems with subsystems such as space vehicles, and (iv) execution control, such as initializing, running, pausing, and terminating simulations. The initial release of SpaceFOM focuses on the core interoperability topics for space simulation: (i) specifying spatial data using several, well defined reference frames, (ii) managing time (including real-time, hard real-time, and as-fast-as-possible execution), (iii) composition of systems with subsystems such as space vehicles, and (iv) execution control, such as initializing, running, pausing, and terminating simulations. A number of requirements for the next version of SpaceFOM have been identified and proposed solutions are already under development. One key area is the object classes used for data exchange, where a richer set of classes have been proposed, based on practical use cases. For time management, the use of variable time resolutions and variable time steps is also proposed. For execution control, save and restore of simulations is considered as well as improved robustness, to handle failing components. A number of clarifications are also under consideration. This paper provides both a forward-looking view of the technical developments underway and a retrospective on the standard's evolution. The authors emphasize that prioritizing core challenges and delivering a practical first version were crucial steps. While not every idea was implemented in the initial release, the timely delivery of a functional standard enabled real-world applications, the growth of a user community, and the collection of valuable insights to shape future versions. The authors look forward to working with the next version of SpaceFOM together with the growing user community.

Simulation Interoperability