Estimation Of Optimal Flight Trajectory In A Total Power Loss Scenario Using Proximal Policy Optimization,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Estimation Of Optimal Flight Trajectory In A Total Power Loss Scenario Using Proximal Policy Optimization, Eidahn Eliash
Theses and Dissertations
Recent research has been conducted in using deep reinforcement learning algorithms to generate closed form optimal control laws for helicopters in power loss scenarios. The control laws could allow for design of various cockpit visual pilot aids if proven successful. Such pilot aids are predicted to reduce pilot workload during execution of an emergency powerless landing, and to overall increase the probability of landing safely in such an event. The proposed topic discusses the use of the PPO algorithm in order to find an optimal control policy for a helicopter in a total power loss emergency landing scenario. The task …
Spray Characterization Of An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle For Agricultural Spraying,
2023
Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Turkiye
Spray Characterization Of An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle For Agricultural Spraying, Eray Önler, Hasan Berk Özyurt, Mehmet Şener, Sezen Arat, Bülent Eker, İlker Hüseyin Çelen
The Philippine Agricultural Scientist
Sustainability and higher efficiency in crop production are possible with the use of new technologies. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) brings many advantages, both in terms of monitoring agricultural areas and pesticide applications, and allows for early disease and damage detection as well as its application in areas without access to conventional sprayers. This study established parameters for spraying with clean water using a DJI Agras 14 MG-1P (RTK) UAV. Droplet distribution and droplet analyses were examined in the experiments carried out at different heights (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 m) and flow rates (10, 15, 20, 25, and …
Towards An Understanding Of The Thermodynamic Properties Of Crtao4: A Computational Perspective,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Towards An Understanding Of The Thermodynamic Properties Of Crtao4: A Computational Perspective, Tanner B. Gordon
Theses and Dissertations
Materials that can withstand higher temperatures are paramount for next-generation aircraft design. Hypersonic capabilities and jet-turbine engines operate in extreme environments. Choosing materials that have high thermal stability and oxidation resistance for these applications can increase engine efficiency, reduce size, weight and power (SWaP), and increase the maneuverability of the aircraft. The mixed oxide CrTaO4 has been experimentally observed to significantly contribute to oxidation resistance at high temperatures. However, and despite its significance, its properties remain largely unknown. This work explores the thermal properties of this material from a multi-scale approach, by obtaining an accurate description of the thermodynamics …
Overall Effectiveness Superposition Theory For A Film Cooled Leading Edge,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Overall Effectiveness Superposition Theory For A Film Cooled Leading Edge, Bailey W. Hopkins
Theses and Dissertations
Film cooling experimentation traditionally reports on the cooling performance of specialty-crafted cooling holes at various angles and array patterns. This is repeated across a variety of model geometries in an effort to provide as much information to the turbine blade designer. While this extensive database of cooling performance is helpful, its true value is found in the designer’s ability to effectively superpose the results on top of each other. One technique for predicting the performance of multiple coolant sources is film cooling superposition theory. This analytical model was employed classically by characterizing the adiabatic effectiveness across a model’s surface; however, …
Shock Induced Trailing Edge Separation Effect On F-16 Limit-Cycle Oscillation,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Shock Induced Trailing Edge Separation Effect On F-16 Limit-Cycle Oscillation, Eric D. Stubblefield
Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
Characterizing Jet Interaction Effects On A Cone In Mach 3.9 Flow,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Characterizing Jet Interaction Effects On A Cone In Mach 3.9 Flow, Titus J. Lee
Theses and Dissertations
Although jet interaction in the context of attitude control for aircraft and air weapons have been investigated for a variety of conditions and geometries, the knowledge base for their use with hypersonic vehicles is far more limited. The objective of the present investigation is to characterize the jet interaction effects in a Mach 3.9 freestream in the AFIT Small Supersonic Wind Tunnel using schlieren flow visualization and a 6-degree of freedom balance. A 7° aluminum cone was attached to the balance while air was injected through a stainless-steel tube, which was separately supported without any contact with the cone body …
Decomposition Of The Skin-Friction Coefficient Of Compressible Boundary Layers,
2023
Missouri Unviersity of Science and Technology
Decomposition Of The Skin-Friction Coefficient Of Compressible Boundary Layers, Dongdong Xu, Pierre Ricco, Lian Duan
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
We derive an integral formula for the skin-friction coefficient of compressible boundary layers by extending the formula of Elnahhas and Johnson ["On the enhancement of boundary layer skin friction by turbulence: An angular momentum approach, "J. Fluid Mech. 940, A36 (2022)] for incompressible boundary layers. The skin-friction coefficient is decomposed into the sum of the contributions of the laminar coefficient, the change of the dynamic viscosity with the temperature, the Favre-Reynolds stresses, and the mean flow. This decomposition is applied to numerical data for laminar and turbulent boundary layers, and the role of each term on the wall-shear stress is …
Debris Survivability Study For Mega-Constellation Architectures,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Debris Survivability Study For Mega-Constellation Architectures, Joseph C. Canoy
Theses and Dissertations
The analysis for the overall theoretical debris survivabilty of mega-constellation architectures, with an emphasis on space-based ballistic missile defense constellation (SB-BMD), is explored via three extensive different Monte Carlo simulations: preliminary analysis of low Earth Orbit (LEO) mega-constellation survivabilty following a fragmentation event within the constellation, analysis of LEO mega-constellation survivability with a fragmentation event occurring on a satellite performing a maneuver to insert itself within the constellation, and the analysis of LEO mega-constellation survivabilty after a fragmentation event resulting from the destruction of a missile. The LEO mega-constellations represent the SB-BMD constellation. The first two analysis sections will include …
Investigation Of Hypersonic Near-Wake Relaminarization Over A 7 Degree Half-Angle Cone,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Investigation Of Hypersonic Near-Wake Relaminarization Over A 7 Degree Half-Angle Cone, Jesse L. Roberts
Theses and Dissertations
To investigate the potential for relaminarization in the near-wake of a 7-degree half-angle cone, a series of hypersonic wake experiments were conducted in the Air Force Research Laboratory Mach 6.1 Ludwieg tube. Relaminarization is a spatial phenomenon that occurs when a turbulent flow reverts to a laminar-like state at a downstream location, where turbulent fluctuations negligibly contribute to average flow properties. Although relaminarization has been documented in subsonic and supersonic flows, the current body of knowledge related to the occurrence of, and mechanisms that drive, relaminarization at hypersonic speeds is sparse. Measurements were obtained across a range of freestream unit …
Development Of Novel Turbomachinery Manufacturing Methods,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Development Of Novel Turbomachinery Manufacturing Methods, Timothy P. Winkler
Theses and Dissertations
Compact turbine engines are of increasing interest as a means of propulsion for small, lightweight, low cost, unmanned aerial systems. This study looks to leverage advancements in novel manufacturing technology to produce turbomachinery components while simultaneously reducing costs and manufacturing time. To determine the feasibility of drop-in replacements for stock components this study focused on several research areas. This included materials research on both polymer-reinforced and ceramic materials, specimen tensile testing to determine temperature-dependent material properties, finite element analysis of multiple candidate materials, design and fabrication of a spin test rig, and physical spin testing of manufactured components to predict …
Belief Space Planning For Alternative Navigation In Gnss-Denied Environments,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Belief Space Planning For Alternative Navigation In Gnss-Denied Environments, Timothy I. Machin
Theses and Dissertations
Robust alternative navigation for autonomous agents becomes critical without reliable GNSS. Autonomous agents utilize measurement updates to constrain uncertainty. Belief space planning builds graph structures of beliefs within environments based on probable paths, agent and measurement models, and information of the environment. The Rapidly-exploring Random Alt-Nav Belief Graph (RRBANG) algorithm leverages stochastic filtering to implement a range of alt-nav measurement capabilities for robust navigation in GNSS-denied environments.
Magnetic Anomaly Mapping For Navigation,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Magnetic Anomaly Mapping For Navigation, Luke T. Bergeron
Theses and Dissertations
Magnetic navigation (MagNav) has the potential to provide a global form of navigation that uses magnetic measurements of the Earth’s anomaly magnetic field and compares those measurements to a magnetic anomaly map in order to determine the user’s position. Widespread use of MagNav will require a database of fully-sampled, low-altitude magnetic anomaly maps. Existing magnetic anomaly map databases usually come from under- or poorly-sampled surveys. In this work, we provide an easy to follow MagNav anomaly map generation framework and set of survey collection metrics/requirements in an effort to help facilitate and standardize the creation of such a database. We …
Design Of A Miniaturized Cubesat Tt&C Patch Antenna,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Design Of A Miniaturized Cubesat Tt&C Patch Antenna, Thomas A. Butterick
Theses and Dissertations
This effort explored the design of miniaturized rectangular microstrip patch antennas for application as a telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C) on a CubeSat. The motivation for this research was the Grissom-P CubeSat mission planned by AFIT. The TT&C antenna selected for the mission exceeded the allotted size by over a factor of two. The studies performed included analyses of simply reducing aperture size, altering substrate permittivity, and layered approaches to antenna miniaturization. The primary approach to miniaturization was based on a virtually shorted patch antenna. Other approaches included an edge-shorted, slotted patch and the use of corner truncations for improved …
Robust Feature Matching For Visual-Based Aerial Navigation Using Registered Imagery,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Robust Feature Matching For Visual-Based Aerial Navigation Using Registered Imagery, Luis Montenegro
Theses and Dissertations
This work leverages the SIFT detector along with known robust feature matching techniques for vision-aided sUAS navigation solutions. The proposed algorithm focuses on a sufficient number of features extracted, their quality and their distribution.
Atmospheric Polarization And Solar Position As Kalman Updates To A Navigation Solution,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Atmospheric Polarization And Solar Position As Kalman Updates To A Navigation Solution, Thomas J. Wheeler
Theses and Dissertations
Simulation and physical testing of a sensor that measures relative position of the Sun and polarization of light in the atmosphere as a navigational aid in a Kalman filter.
Lunar Search And Rescue: The Next Step For Human Spaceflight Recovery,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Lunar Search And Rescue: The Next Step For Human Spaceflight Recovery, Benjamin J. Johnis
Theses and Dissertations
Humans return to the Moon in 2024 under the NASA Artemis mission. Commercial space explorations are rapidly expanding. The sudden increase of human spaceflight calls for increased emphasis on space rescue. These revelations drove an AFRL/AFIT capability gap assessment to provide specific proposals for a modern space rescue program guided by Transaction Cost Economics Theory. The mission analysis arms USSPACECOM and NASA to coordinate an interagency approach to Lunar Search and Rescue, positioning America to compete in the new space race. The strategic consequences of failing to act could fundamentally jeopardize American leadership in space.
Concept Of Operations Of Cislunar Mirror Satellites To Provide Augmented Lighting Of Dim Space-Based Objects,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Concept Of Operations Of Cislunar Mirror Satellites To Provide Augmented Lighting Of Dim Space-Based Objects, Alec E. Cook
Theses and Dissertations
The imaging and inspection of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) is an increasingly important mission as space-faring nations and commercial enterprises alike seek to develop means to repair and refuel spacecraft, as well as de-orbit RSOs to reduce orbital debris. Lighting conditions are not always advantageous for an imaging/inspection or repair/refuel spacecraft; therefore, the use of mirror spacecraft to reflect solar energy is proposed to illuminate dimly lit RSOs. The present research investigates the efficacy of space-based reflectors at examining spacecraft in the cislunar environment. Specific assessments include target spacecraft in geosynchronous Earth orbit and periodic orbits around selected Lagrange points, …
Experimental And Computational Bearing Strength Of Fiber Metal Laminate With And Without Film Adhesive,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Experimental And Computational Bearing Strength Of Fiber Metal Laminate With And Without Film Adhesive, Christopher L. Bellanova Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
This research characterized the performance of a fiber metal laminate composed of carbon fiber and stainless steel without film adhesive and compared it to a similar, previously tested, fiber metal laminate including film adhesive. Removal of the adhesive layers reduced the localized thickness, simplified manufacturing, and allowed for a 20% increase in foil thickness. Quasi-static testing was conducted in double shear, single shear protruding, and single shear countersunk configurations. The results were compared to adhesive hybrid and control samples. To study the affects of bolt tension, samples at low torque in double shear were also tested. Progressive failure samples revealed …
Suitability Of Earth-Moon Triangular Lagrange Point Orbits For Space Situational Awareness,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Suitability Of Earth-Moon Triangular Lagrange Point Orbits For Space Situational Awareness, Eric P. Burkhart
Theses and Dissertations
The second space race is looming on the horizon, and the Moon is again at center stage. All major space fairing nations have plans for future Lunar exploration, but this time with plans to stay. NASA’s Artemis program plans to put humans back on the Moon in 2025 and establish a Lunar base on the South pole in the 2030s. Meanwhile, China has landed a rover on the far side of the moon with a communications relay satellite in a halo orbit around the L2 Lagrange point, and partnered with Russia to build a Lunar research station on the Lunar …
Performance Analysis And Recommended Improvements Of A Cubesat Resistojet,
2023
Air Force Institute of Technology
Performance Analysis And Recommended Improvements Of A Cubesat Resistojet, Alexander M. Petrocelli
Theses and Dissertations
A small resistojet design was evaluated for its current performance and assessed for design and operational improvements. This resistojet is designed to operate on AFIT CubeSats with the intent of providing 100-200 mN of thrust at a specific impulse between 66-104 seconds. Using previously collected data and studies conducted on the design, analysis was performed to determine the current performance of this first-generation design. This provided a starting point for performance analysis over a variety of operational temperatures and pressures. This process was conducted for various heat exchanger path lengths of both the current design and two adapted path geometries. …
