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Full-Text Articles in Aerospace Engineering
Soarnet, Deep Learning Thermal Detection For Free Flight, Jake T. Tallman
Soarnet, Deep Learning Thermal Detection For Free Flight, Jake T. Tallman
Master's Theses
Thermals are regions of rising hot air formed on the ground through the warming of the surface by the sun. Thermals are commonly used by birds and glider pilots to extend flight duration, increase cross-country distance, and conserve energy. This kind of powerless flight using natural sources of lift is called soaring. Once a thermal is encountered, the pilot flies in circles to keep within the thermal, so gaining altitude before flying off to the next thermal and towards the destination. A single thermal can net a pilot thousands of feet of elevation gain, however estimating thermal locations is not …
Comparing Radiation Shielding Potential Of Liquid Propellants To Water For Application In Space, John Czaplewski
Comparing Radiation Shielding Potential Of Liquid Propellants To Water For Application In Space, John Czaplewski
Master's Theses
The radiation environment in space is a threat that engineers and astronauts need to mitigate as exploration into the solar system expands. Passive shielding involves placing as much material between critical components and the radiation environment as possible. However, with mass and size budgets, it is important to select efficient materials to provide shielding. Currently, NASA and other space agencies plan on using water as a shield against radiation since it is already necessary for human missions. Water has been tested thoroughly and has been proven to be effective. Liquid propellants are needed for every mission and also share similar …
A Study Of The Design Of Adaptive Camber Winglets, Justin J. Rosescu
A Study Of The Design Of Adaptive Camber Winglets, Justin J. Rosescu
Master's Theses
A numerical study was conducted to determine the effect of changing the camber of a winglet on the efficiency of a wing in two distinct flight conditions. Camber was altered via a simple plain flap deflection in the winglet, which produced a constant camber change over the winglet span. Hinge points were located at 20%, 50% and 80% of the chord and the trailing edge was deflected between -5° and +5°. Analysis was performed using a combination of three-dimensional vortex lattice method and two-dimensional panel method to obtain aerodynamic forces for the entire wing, based on different winglet camber configurations. …
On The Growth Rate Of Turbulent Mixing Layers: A New Parametric Model, Jeffrey L. Freeman
On The Growth Rate Of Turbulent Mixing Layers: A New Parametric Model, Jeffrey L. Freeman
Master's Theses
A new parametric model for the growth rate of turbulent mixing layers is proposed. A database of experimental and numerical mixing layer studies was extracted from the literature to support this effort. The domain of the model was limited to planar, spatial, nonreacting, free shear layers that were not affected by artificial mixing enhancement techniques. The model is split into two parts which were each tuned to optimally fit the database; equations for an incompressible growth rate were derived from the error function velocity profile, and a function for a compressibility factor was generalized from existing theory on the convective …
Development Of A Cubesat Instrument For Microgravity Particle Damper Performance Analysis, John Trevor Abel
Development Of A Cubesat Instrument For Microgravity Particle Damper Performance Analysis, John Trevor Abel
Master's Theses
Spacecraft pointing accuracy and structural longevity requirements often necessitate auxiliary vibration dissipation mechanisms. However, temperature sensitivity and material degradation limit the effectiveness of traditional damping techniques in space. Robust particle damping technology offers a potential solution, driving the need for microgravity characterization. A 1U cubesat satellite presents a low cost, low risk platform for the acquisition of data needed for this evaluation, but severely restricts available mass, volume, power and bandwidth resources. This paper details the development of an instrument subject to these constraints that is capable of capturing high resolution frequency response measurements of highly nonlinear particle damper dynamics.