Navigation, Guidance, Control and Dynamics Commons^™

Refinement And Validation Of A Real-Time Airborne System For Remotely Sensing Ocean Surface Using Communication Satellite Signals, Benjamin R. Nold, Han Zhang, James L. Garrison

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

The ability to remotely sense ocean wave heights and wind speed by measuring the reflected Radio Frequency (RF) signals from the ocean’s surface has been demonstrated in previous research projects. The recording systems for these research projects collected and stored unmodified RF signals and then analyzed the data through post-processing. Several disadvantages to this approach include large requirements for data storage and lengthy post-processing time. To assist in the creation of a suitable platform for an airplane-based application, a new system was designed which features real-time processing of the RF signals. This system captures two RF signals in the 2.4 …

Autonomous Altitude Control Device For Latex Hab, John W. Siepierski

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

The advent of latex High Altitude Balloons has dramatically reduced the costs associated with conducting research at altitudes reaching the stratosphere. Latex balloons are less expansive than zero-pressure and super-pressure alternatives, but they have an important disadvantage: while zero-pressure and super-pressure balloons can float at a desired altitude for long periods of time, latex balloons ascend continuously, flying only around two hours before reaching a bursting altitude (usually around 100,000 ft) and falling back to earth. Enabling latex High Altitude Balloons to float at a constant altitude for extended (and specifically defined) periods of time could make them significantly more …

Autonomous Satellite Recovery Vehicle, William Lewis, Devonte Grantham, Francisco Pastrana, Shane Williams, Joshua Moffett, Jessy Law, Kyle Ouellette, Janet Marnane

Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference

In collaboration with ERFSEDS, we would like to send a small satellite attached to a quad-copter as the payload for ERFSEDS rocket which will reach an altitude of 10,000 feet. The quad-copters objective will be to collect atmospheric data as it descends. Our plan is to 3-D print a new chassis for the quad-copters electronic components and arms that will allow the quad-copter to fold its arms inwards to meet the required space constraints. After launching the rocket, the satellite will be deployed at the target altitude and begin collecting data once jettisoned from the rocket. Once reaching 2,000 feet …

Microcontrollers In The Aviation Classroom, Padraig Houlahan

Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference

Modern commercial aircraft are increasingly dependent on digital technologies that detect sensor data and pilot control movements, interpret them, and then issue appropriate control signals to remote motors that move control surfaces. Because such technologies are innately complex, it would appear there is an unacceptably large academic burden on introducing them into the undergraduate pilot's curriculum .

However, in recent years there has been an explosion of interest in using micro-controllers in academic teaching (high-school and undergraduate levels) and in hobby applications, resulting in a large, online, freely available knowledgebase of techniques and solutions. Here, I demonstrate how easy it …

Thinking Rather Than Panicking About The Current Drone Threat, Tom Foley, Tyrone Groh

Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference

Originally titled "UAS Threats in Sport Venues," the authors opted to expand their focus to better to all threats from UASs, and to encourage better preparation for and responses to such threats. Foley and Groh discuss different strategies.