Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Analytical Results For A Single-Unit System Subject To Markovian Wear And Shocks, Daniel E. Finkelstein Mar 2004

Analytical Results For A Single-Unit System Subject To Markovian Wear And Shocks, Daniel E. Finkelstein

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis develops and analyzers a mathematical model for the reliability measures of a single-unit system subject to continuous wear due to its operating environment and randomly occurring shocks that inflict a random amount of damage to the unit. Assuming a Markovian operating environment and shock arrival mechanism, Laplace-Stieltjes transform expressions are obtained for the failure time distribution and all of its moments. Moreover, an analytical expression is derived for the long-run availability of the single-unit system when it is subject to an inspect-and-replace maintenance policy. The analytical results are illustrated, and their results compared with those of Monte Carlo-simulated …


Systems-Level Feasibility Analysis Of A Microsatellite Rendezvous With Non-Cooperative Targets, Allen R. Toso Mar 2004

Systems-Level Feasibility Analysis Of A Microsatellite Rendezvous With Non-Cooperative Targets, Allen R. Toso

Theses and Dissertations

The feasibility of using a microsatellite to accomplish an orbital rendezvous with a noncooperative target was evaluated. This study focused on identifying and further exploring the technical challenges involved in achieving a noncooperative rendezvous. A system engineering analysis and review of past research quickly led to a concentration on the guidance, navigation, and control elements of the microsatellite operation. The integration of control and orbit determination algorithms was investigated. A simple yet robust solution could not be found to meet reasonable rendezvous criteria, using essentially off-the-shelf technology and algorithms. System feasibility has been assessed to have a low probability in …


Reusable Space Vehicle Ground Operations Baseline Conceptual Model, Dennis R. Maynard, Patricia Pettit Mar 2004

Reusable Space Vehicle Ground Operations Baseline Conceptual Model, Dennis R. Maynard, Patricia Pettit

Theses and Dissertations

Modeling efforts for future space operation vehicles at the United States Air Force Research Labs Air Vehicles Directorate have been focused towards the in-flight mission. To better serve the research and development effort, a simulation of the ground operations is required allowing for trade-offs within turnaround operations and between the components that drive those procedures. However, before a simulation can be developed a conceptual model must be generated to guide the model building process. This research provides a baseline conceptual model for reusable space vehicles based on the space shuttle as the only operational vehicle of its kind. The model …


Optimal Constellation Design For Orbital Munitions Delivery System, Jason Anderson Mar 2004

Optimal Constellation Design For Orbital Munitions Delivery System, Jason Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Rather than delivering conventional munitions through the airspace of uncooperative nations, a constellation of space-stored weapons could potentially target any point on the Earth and arrive within the time it takes to de-orbit and re-enter through the atmosphere. The research involves applying the dynamics of atmospheric re-entry to a Common Aero Vehicle (CAV) and defining a footprint of attainable touchdown points. The footprint is moved forward to create a swath representing all the possible touchdown points in a 90 minute window. A nominal constellation of CAVs is established using a streets of coverage technique, and both analytic studies and numeric …