Other Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Flow Field Measurement And Qualification Of The West Virginia University Environmental Wind Tunnel, Katherine Mary Reid

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In 2013 West Virginia University acquired an Environmental Wind Tunnel from Cornell University. Due to the state of the tunnel, elements of the tunnel were redesigned and rebuilt at the West Virginia University Hangar in Morgantown, West Virginia. The motivation of this research was to evaluate and qualify the flow field within the test section of this redesigned and reconstructed wind tunnel. The tunnel has many uses for the university, including outside research opportunities as well as educational purposes for students in the Aerospace Engineering Department. The methods employed for this effort included developing a grid of pitot tubes to …

Updates And Improvements To The Satellite Drag Coefficient Response Surface Modeling Toolkit, Phillip Logan Sheridan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

For satellites in Low Earth Orbit, the drag coefficient is a major area of uncertainty. Researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory have created a Response Surface Modeling (RSM) toolkit to provide the community with a resource for simulating and modeling satellite drag coefficients in Free Molecular Flow. The toolkit combines the high fidelity of numerical simulation techniques with the speed of regression modeling. Specifically, it uses a training sample of drag coefficients simulated with the Test Particle Monte Carlo method with the robust Gaussian Process Regression approach. The RSM toolkit is the prime process to become a toolkit of …

Next-Generation Re-Entry Aerothermodynamic Modeling Of Space Debris Using Machine Learning, Nicholas Sia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The number of resident space objects re-entering the atmosphere is expected to rise with increased space activity over recent years and future projections. Predicting the survival and impact location of the medium to large sized re-entering objects becomes important as they can cause on ground casualties and damage to property. Uncertainties associated with the re-entry process makes necessary a probabilistic approach, which can be computationally expensive when using high-fidelity numerical methods for estimating aerothermodynamic properties. To date, object-oriented analysis is the dominant tool used for atmospheric re-entry modeling and simulation, where aerothermodynamic coefficients are used to determine the risk a …

Application Of Laser Assisted Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification On Aluminum And 3d Printed Titanium, Eman Hassan, Thomas Crouse

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

A novel surface treatment, laser assisted ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (LA-UNSM), has proved effective in increasing surface hardness, and fatigue life. The objective of this research is to determine the effectiveness of this process on components created with additive manufacturing. To accomplish this, we investigated the effectiveness of LA-UNSM treatment on aluminum, a common 3d printed metal, and the effectiveness of LA-UNSM processing on 3d printed titanium. We first conducted our own literature review to assess the practicality of using this same treatment on aluminum. We then treated traditionally manufactured aluminum at varying levels of laser intensity to determine if …

Electro-Optic Satellite Constellation Design Using Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm, Yasin Tamer

Theses and Dissertations

Satellite constellation design is a complex, highly constrained, and multidisciplinary problem. Unless optimization tools are used, tradeoffs must be conducted at the subsystem level resulting in feasible, but not necessarily optimal, system designs. As satellite technology advances, new methods to optimize the system objectives are developed. This study is based on the development of a representative regional remote sensing constellation design. This thesis analyses the design process of an electrooptic satellite constellation with regional coverage considerations using system-level optimization tools. A multi objective genetic algorithm method is used to optimize the constellation design by utilizing MATLAB and STK integration. Cost, …

Design And Validation Of An Led-Based Solar Simulator For Solar Cell And Thermal Testing, Matthew Gunther

Master's Theses

An LED-based solar simulator has been designed, constructed, and qualified under ASTM standards for use in the Cal Poly Space Environments Laboratory. The availability of this simulator will enhance the capability of undergraduate students to evaluate solar cell and thermal coating performance, and offers further research opportunities. The requirements of ASTM E927-19 for solar simulators intended for photovoltaic cell testing were used primarily, supplemented by information from ASTM E491-73 for solar simulators intended for spacecraft thermal vacuum testing. Three main criteria were identified as design goals - spectral match ratio, spatial non-uniformity, and temporal instability. An electrical design for an …

An Investigative Study Of Combustion And Emissions With Noise And Vibrations Of Synthetic Fuels Within An Aero-Gas Turbine, Camille J. Phillips

Honors College Theses

The pollution from the aerospace transportation is rapidly becoming the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The FAA expects aviation emissions to almost triple by 2050, making the aerospace industry responsible for the release of approximately 25% of the global carbon dioxide budget. These aviation emissions, including CO2 and NOx, as well as other GHGs, contribute to the destruction of ozone layer. Carbon dioxide emissions have a particularly negative effect on humans, leading to airway diseases especially in children and elderly. To combat the addition of further GHG emissions into the atmosphere, it is necessary to minimize the usage …

Celebrating 90-Orbits Around The Sun, Stafford Air & Space Museum

Programs

In celebration of the 90th birthday of Oklahoma astronaut and aerospace legend, Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma is offering free admission on September 17th, 2020.

Unless stated otherwise within this repository collection, all materials are shared under the following Creative Commons license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License].

Secondary Uses Of Ballutes After Aerocapture, Josiah Shelton

Master's Theses

Aerocapture is a method for spacecraft orbital insertion that is currently being assessed for use in interplanetary missions. This method would use a low periapsis hyperbolic entry orbit to induce drag allowing the spacecraft to slow down without the use of a propulsion system. This is accomplished by using a ballute (balloon parachute), which is released after the appropriate change in velocity necessary to achieve the desired planetary orbit. Once released, the ballute could deploy a secondary mission vehicle. A MATLAB simulation was run to understand the environment a secondary payload would undergo, such as heating and deceleration, as well …

Safran Seat Attachment System, Craig John Kimball, Tyler Bragg, Lynette Cox

Mechanical Engineering

This final design review (FDR) document outlines the senior design project being carried out by a team of mechanical engineering undergraduate students attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for Safran Seats in Santa Maria, CA. The project originally was to design, build, and test a universal attachment to secure a widebody business class seat to seven aircraft models with different seat track geometry. The goal was to design, document, and create a finished product that fits design, weight, and manufacturing requirements, as well as passes static 9G FWD testing. Structural analysis, manufacturing analysis, FEA, and CAD assemblies will …

Thermal Modeling And Testing Of The Blue Thermal Vacuum Chamber, Madeline R. Jensma

Master's Theses

The Blue Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) located in the Space Environments Laboratory at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), may be used for thermal vacuum testing of test articles that fit with in the semi cylindrical test section that has a radius of approximately 18 cm and a length of 61 cm. The potential test articles include CubeSat systems and subsystem. The Blue TVAC can also be used for educational and research purposes. The goal of this thesis project is to develop a thermal model of the Blue TVAC to predict and analyze the thermal response of …

Arizona Hyperloop: The Fifth Mode Of Transportation, Eleanor Pahl, Matthieu Rada

Discovery Day - Prescott

Arizona Hyperloop is a coalition between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Arizona State University students competing in Elon Musk’s annual SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition. Hyperloop is the proposed “Fifth Mode of Transportation” - coined “a cross between a Concorde, a rail gun, and an air hockey table.” A hyperloop pod levitates and travels at nearly the speed of sound inside a vacuum tube, which eliminates air resistance. Musk hosts the annual competition to university students to encourage the evolution of urban transportation. The goal is to design, build, and race the fastest prototype pod at SpaceX’s mile-long test track in Hawthorne, …

A System Architecture For Phased Development Of Remote Suas Operation, Eric Ashley

Master's Theses

Current airspace regulations require the remote pilot-in-command of an unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to maintain visual line of sight with the vehicle for situational awareness. The future of UAS will not have these constraints as technology improves and regulations are changed. An operational model for the future of UAS is proposed where a remote operator will monitor remote vehicles with the capability to intervene if needed. One challenge facing this future operational concept is the ability for a flight data system to effectively communicate flight status to the remote operator. A system architecture has been developed to facilitate the implementation …

An Analytic Study Of Pursuit Strategies, Mark E. Vlassakis

Theses and Dissertations

The Two-on-One pursuit-evasion differential game is revisited where the holonomic players have equal speed, and the two pursuers are endowed with a circular capture range ℓ > 0. Then, the case where the pursuers' capture ranges are unequal, ℓ₁ > ℓ₂ ≥ 0, is analyzed. In both cases, the state space region where capture is guaranteed is delineated and the optimal feedback strategies are synthesized. Next, pure pursuit is considered whereupon the terminal separation between a pursuer and an equal-speed evader less than the pursuer's capture range ℓ > 0. The case with two pursuers employing pure pursuit is considered, and …

Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technologies And Operations, Randall K. Nichols, Hans C. Mumm, Wayne D. Lonstein, Julie J.C.H Ryan, Candice Carter, John-Paul Hood

NPP eBooks

As the quarter-century mark in the 21st Century nears, new aviation-related equipment has come to the forefront, both to help us and to haunt us. (Coutu, 2020) This is particularly the case with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These vehicles have grown in popularity and accessible to everyone. Of different shapes and sizes, they are widely available for purchase at relatively low prices. They have moved from the backyard recreation status to important tools for the military, intelligence agencies, and corporate organizations. New practical applications such as military equipment and weaponry are announced on a regular basis – globally. (Coutu, 2020) …

Satellite Constellation Deployment And Management, Joseph Ryan Kopacz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper will review results and discuss a new method to address the deployment and management of a satellite constellation. The first two chapters will explorer the use of small satellites, and some of the advances in technology that have enabled small spacecraft to maintain modern performance requirements in incredibly small packages.

The third chapter will address the multiple-objective optimization problem for a global persistent coverage constellation of communications spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit. A genetic algorithm was implemented in MATLAB to explore the design space – 288 trillion possibilities – utilizing the Satellite Tool Kit (STK) software developers kit. …

Estimation Of Atmospheric Conditions Over A Long Horizontal Path Using Multi-Frame Blind Deconvolution (Mfbd) Techniques In Comparison With Delayed Tilt Anisoplanatism (Delta) Software, Hannah Stoll

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The potential to track and view objects in space from the ground with greater near real time knowledge of the intervening turbulence would be a revolutionary capability. The objective of this thesis is to cross-validate two separate methods used to estimate the Fried parameter. This verification is a step toward a commercial grade product that would make real-time estimates of the turbulence strength along an optical path from a ground-based observatory to a satellite in orbit around the Earth. Michigan Technological University has developed a multi-frame blind deconvolution (MFBD) algorithm used to estimate r0 and it was tested against MZA’s …

Identify Aerodynamic Derivatives Of The Airplane Attitude Channel Using A Spiking Neural Network, Nguyen Quang Vinh, Nguyen Duc Thanh, Hoang Minh Dac, Truong Dang Khoa

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The paper proposes a method for identifying aerodynamic coefficient derivatives of aircraft attitude channel using spiking neural network (SNN) and Gauss-Newton algorithm based on data obtained from actual flights. Using SNN combination with Gauss-Newton iterative calculation algorithm allows the identification of aerodynamic coefficient derivatives in a nonlinear model for aerodynamic parameters with higher accuracy and faster calculation time. The paper proposes an algorithm to train the SNN multi-layer network by Normalized Spiking Error Back Propagation (NSEBP), in which, in the forward propagation period, the time of output spikes is calculating by solving quadratic equations instead of detection by traditional methods. …

Uas For Public Safety Operations: A Comparison Of Uas Point Clouds To Terrestrial Lidar Point Cloud Data Using A Faro Scanner, Joseph S. Cerreta, Scott S. Burgess, Jeremy Coleman

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) can be useful tools for public safety agencies during crime or vehicle accident scene investigations if it can provide value to the resource-constrained agency. The speed of data collection, while minimizing first responder risk, while sustaining an acceptable level of accuracy and precision compared to other tools is where the agency may find value. During a recent homicide investigation in Florida, a UAS provided saved 81% in law enforcement labor hours with an acceptable level of accuracy compared to traditional methods. The purpose of this research was to compare UAS to determine if there were differences …

Design Of Banner Tow Mechanism For Bush Plane, Kyle Ciarrone, Ivan Martin, Rishabh Gadi, Tyler Brandt

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The 2019-2020 AIAA DBF objective was to design, build, and test a banner-towing bush plane that carries wooden passengers and luggage. Senior members on the team undertook the creation of the banner tow mechanism subsystem as their senior design project on behalf of the design team due to the challenge of its mechanical design and the aerodynamic considerations regarding its placement and enclosure aboard the aircraft. The competition as well as access to campus resources were canceled due to COVID-19, so full testing and integration of the mechanism was not achieved. However, the engineering design process was experienced from the …