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

Aerospace Engineering Commons

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

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Aerospace Engineering

Conical Orbital Mechanics: A Rework Of Classic Orbit Transfer Mechanics, Cian Anthony Branco Dec 2020

Conical Orbital Mechanics: A Rework Of Classic Orbit Transfer Mechanics, Cian Anthony Branco

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Simple orbital maneuvers obeying Kepler’s Laws, when taken with respect to Newton’s framework, require considerable time and effort to interpret and understand. Instead of a purely mathematical approach relying on the governing relations, a graphical geometric conceptual representation provides a useful alternative to the physical realities of orbits. Conic sections utilized within the full scope of a modified cone (frustum) were employed to demonstrate and develop a geometric approach to elliptical orbit transformations. The geometric model in-question utilizes the rotation of a plane intersecting the orbital frustum at some angle β (and the change in this angle) in a novel …


Modeling Shock Waves Using Exponential Interpolation Functions With The Least-Squares Finite Element Method, Bradford Scott Smith Jr. Apr 2016

Modeling Shock Waves Using Exponential Interpolation Functions With The Least-Squares Finite Element Method, Bradford Scott Smith Jr.

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The hypothesis of this research is that exponential interpolation functions will approximate fluid properties at shock waves with less error than polynomial interpolation functions. Exponential interpolation functions are derived for the purpose of modeling sharp gradients. General equations for conservation of mass, momentum, and energy for an inviscid flow of a perfect gas are converted to finite element equations using the least-squares method. Boundary conditions and a mesh adaptation scheme are also presented. An oblique shock reflection problem is used as a benchmark to determine whether or not exponential interpolation provides any advantages over Lagrange polynomial interpolation. Using exponential interpolation …


Analytic Construction Of Periodic Orbits In The Restricted Three-Body Problem, Mohammed A. Ghazy Jul 2010

Analytic Construction Of Periodic Orbits In The Restricted Three-Body Problem, Mohammed A. Ghazy

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the analytical solution properties surrounding a nominal periodic orbit in two different planes, the plane of motion of the two primaries and a plane perpendicular to the line joining the two primaries, in the circular restricted three-body problem. Assuming motion can be maintained in the plane and motion of the third body is circular, Jacobi's integral equation can be analytically integrated, yielding a closed-form expression for the period and path expressed with elliptic integral and elliptic function theory. In this case, the third body traverses a circular path with nonuniform speed. In a strict sense, the in-plane …