Engineering Commons^™

Nitinol Robotic Arm, Brandon Cousino, Connor Sweatt

Thinking Matters Symposium

The goal of our project is to create a remotely controlled robotic arm using a nickel-titanium alloy (Nitinol) that exhibits “shape memory” tendencies and a 9-lumen tube. The arm must be able to move in all for directions (forward, left, right, backwards) with the control of a joystick and return to an upright position upon halting user input (thus requiring a two-way shape memory ability). The final product must operate without any unwanted twisting of the arm, crosstalk between the different nitinol wires due to heating, and be easily manufacturable. Easy replacement of the arm from the main mechanism is …

Supplying Space: 3d Printing For Interplanetary Logistics, Jeffrey W. Rogers

Space Studies Student Publications

This case study examines 3-D printing as an effective solution to ensure just in time logistics capability for supporting a crewed colony on Mars. It explores the cost to weight benefits of an advanced shipment sent prior to the crewed mission to ensure on-planet production capacity on arrival and landing for sustained operations with limited resupply from Earth. In order to project a realistic and financially reasonable solution, a quantitative descriptive analysis method is utilized. Data was collected through text research and research tools provided from the United States Government (NASA) and private industry via internet sources. From correlated data, …

Low-Fidelity Method For Rapid Aerostructural Optimisation And Design-Space Exploration Of Planar Wings, Jeffrey D. Taylor, Doug F. Hunsaker

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Publications and Presentations

During early phases of wing design, analytic and low-fidelity methods are often used to identify promising design concepts. In many cases, solutions obtained using these methods provide intuition about the design space that is not easily obtained using higher-fidelity methods. This is especially true for aerostructural design. However, many analytic and low-fidelity aerostructural solutions are limited in application to wings with specific planforms and weight distributions. Here, a numerical method for minimising induced drag with structural constraints is presented that uses approximations that apply to unswept planar wings with arbitrary planforms and weight distributions. The method is applied to the …

Fear To Cooperation: A Brief History Of The Space Race, Dylan Clay

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

In 1957, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a space race that, ironically, resulted in joint United States-Soviet Union missions with the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz program. Starting in the 1950s, the Cold War between the two nations led to a feeling of unease from the world populace, especially with uncertainty surrounding the superpowers' capabilities. In the late 1950s, the United States feared that they would lose the race to space because of Sputnik's success, but American efforts led to far greater success with American Astronauts landing on the moon, effectively ending the race to space. With both nations …

White Paper Report: Needs In Space Education For The 21st Century—Research, Higher Education, Training And Public Policy, Randall Johnson, Joseph Pelton, Henry Hertzfeld, Don Flournoy, Hussein J. Hussein

Online Journal of Space Communication

May 2, 2003

A Forum Seeking Innovative Answers

• New Approaches to Higher Education and Training
• Distance Learning, Tele-education and the Internet
• Shared Research Facilities and New Approaches to Research
• Joint University Projects
• Multidisciplinary Needs and International Perspectives and Languages
• Space and Security Issues Related to Education
• How to Attract More Students to Higher Education in the Space Field
• How to Prepare Incoming Students More Effectively for College
• Wide Spread Survey on Space Education to Find Concerns and New Solutions

From The Industry: Yasunori Matogawa, Ph.D., Professor Of Space Communications At The Institute Of Space And Astronautical Science, Yasunori Matogawa

Online Journal of Space Communication

Dr. Yasunori Matogawa is Professor at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science directly reporting to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, Sports and Technology. He is also in charge of supervising Kagoshima Space Center in Kyushu as Director General. Widely considered to be the man of space education in Japan, Dr. Matogawa is the President for the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences. Internationally, he is well-known as the Chairman of the International Astronautical Federation. The interview was conducted at Sophia University, Japan with the assistance of Dr. Tsutomu Kanayama (Email: [email protected]).

Students Interested In Satellite Communications Can Gain An Edge In The Job Market By Studying Science And Theory, Ben Chang

Online Journal of Space Communication

The mind has an extraordinary ability to see things that are hoped for, Arthur C. Clarke said in 1973. Years later he noted that it cost about $100, in terms of kilowatt-hours, to go to the moon, "whereas it costs about a billion dollars the way we've done it."

These two quotes from the grandfather of satellite communications and author of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY point to one of the primary qualities INTELSAT looks for in filling engineering positions: the ability to apply book knowledge to the practical aspects of satellite communications.

Model Curricula: University Of Texas Medical Branch

Online Journal of Space Communication

University of Texas Medical Branch UTMB/NASA Aerospace Medicine Residency

Model Curricula: University Of Oklahoma

Online Journal of Space Communication

University of Oklahoma Aerospace Engineering

Model Curricula: Space Foundation

Online Journal of Space Communication

The Space Foundation is a national non-profit organization advancing space awareness and space education.

The Space Foundation pursues the mission of vigorously advancing civil, commercial and national security space endeavors for a brighter future and supporting educational excellence through the excitement of space.

Model Curricula: Umea University, Carol Norberg

Online Journal of Space Communication

The town of Kiruna, lying 140 kilometres above the Arctic Circle in northernSweden, has for many years been considered the ‘‘space centre’’ of Sweden.The high latitude makes Kiruna an attractive base for international spaceresearch. This paper describes the practical-oriented Space EngineeringProgram run in Kiruna by the University of Umeå. The students on theprogram benefit from the expertise of resident and visiting space scientistsand engineers. The education is the only one of its kind in Sweden.

Model Curricula: Esa Telecom Training Programme

Online Journal of Space Communication

This paper describes the content of an e-training course on satellite communications prepared under contract to ESA and now available at the ESA Telecom User Support Office website. The contract to develop this online training was led by EADS Fleximage with significant contributions from a team of subcontractors including EADS Astrium, British Telecom Exact Technologies, ENSAE/ SUP'Aero and ISU. The course is divided into five modules covering the following areas in an animated and progressive way:

• Systems and Services
• Communication Link
• Networking
• Space Segment
• Earth Segment

Model Curricula: International Space University

Online Journal of Space Communication

How to educate Space professionals able to meet the needs of the Space community and the challenges of a changing Space sector in a changing world? The International Space University (ISU) was created in 1987 to educate Space leaders using a unique approach. ISU programs are based on a "3-I" International, Interdisciplinary and Intercultural) model which was built from discussions and meetings within the world Space community to meet its evolving needs.

Model Curricula: Ohio University

Online Journal of Space Communication

Programs of Education Relating to Satellite and Space Communication in:

Telecommunication Communications Systems Management

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Model Curricula: George Washington University

Online Journal of Space Communication

There is a growing need for qualified engineers, scientists, technicians, marketing and sales and management personnel in the field of satellite applications and only a few universities that are actually offering undergraduate or graduate degrees in this area.

Model Curricula: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Online Journal of Space Communication

Many universities have added courses and curricula related to satellites and space. A search of the Internet reveals that few of these are designated degree programs in space studies degree, rather they are traditional programs offering courses and concentrations which involve study of space and space applications from several perspectives. The Internet search also reveals a large variation in both the titles and the curricula for these programs. The author has sought to standardize definitions, identify workable program names and suggest core courses. Five programs and their core courses are outlined for consideration.

Database Of Academic Institutions: International

Online Journal of Space Communication

Institutions, research centers and professional associations around the world that do research and teach content and skills relating to satellite and space communication.

Database Of Academic Institutions: United States K-12

Online Journal of Space Communication

Institutions, research centers and professional associations in the United States that do research and teach content and skills relating to satellite and space communication at the K-12 level.

Nasa Moonbuggy Competition: Rider's Workout Reference Guide, Susan Leslie Duron

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Adaptive And Neural Network-Based Aircraft Tracking Control With Synthetic Jet Actuators, Joshua Teramae

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Wing-embedded synthetic jet actuators (SJA) can be used to achieve maneuvering control in aircraft by delivering controllable airflow perturbations near the wing surface. Trajectory tracking control design for aircraft equipped with SJA is particularly challenging, since the controlling actuator itself has an uncertain dynamic model. These challenges necessitate advanced nonlinear control design methods to achieve desirable performance for SJA-based aircraft (e.g., micro air vehicles (MAVs)). In this research, adaptive and neural-network based control methods are investigated, which are specifically designed to compensate for the SJA dynamic model uncertainty and unpredictable operating conditions characters tic of real-world MAV applications. The control …

Charge Tracing For Determining Electrical Facility Effects On Electric Spacecraft Propulsion Systems., Tyler Bye

Honors Theses

Electric Propulsion Systems are the future of deep space travel. Since its design in 2016 Western Michigan University has been testing a Hall-Thruster from a previous Senior Design Group. One issue with Electric Propulsion Systems is tracing where the electrons go after being used to ionize propellant for spacecraft acceleration. Induced magnetic fields on Earth alter the electron paths found in the vacuum of space.

One solution is the EP TEMPEST. The EP TEMPEST is an electron tracer designed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The goal of this project is to design an electron tracer like the EP TEMPEST …

Optimum Double Rhombic Flap Design For Z-Plasty, Abdullah Khan

Honors Theses

In the medical field, especially in plastic surgery, Rhombic flap and z-plasty are common methods in surgical procedures to treat and close complex wounds of different types of injuries/surgery. Each conventional surgical method has its own pros and cons. When both conventional methods join, it would complement each other weaknesses. This senior design project purpose is to investigate the magnitude of stresses build on skin due to transposing of skin in these methods when the wound is close after the surgical procedure is done. In this project a combination of rhombic flap and z-plasty is studied which is Double Rhombic …

Long Duration Venus Lander, Aidan Wales

Honors Theses

Venus continues to be a target of interest for the scientific community, as the similarities and differences to Earth pose intriguing questions about planetary evolution. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking to gain a better understanding of Earth’s sister planet and has presented a challenge to interested undergraduate student teams to develop a in-situ robotic explorer and accompanying relay. The student team representing Western Michigan University has designed a long-term Venusian lander to both survive the harsh environment for an extended period and gather scientific data on the planet’s atmosphere and surface to be communicated back to …

Long-Term Venus Lander, Scott Miller

Honors Theses

Venus continues to be a target of interest for the scientific community, as the similarities and differences to Earth pose intriguing questions about planetary evolution. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking to gain a better understanding of Earth’s sister planet and has presented a challenge to interested undergraduate student teams to develop a in-situ robotic explorer and accompanying relay. The student team representing Western Michigan University has designed a long-term Venusian lander to both survive the harsh environment for an extended period and gather scientific data on the planet’s atmosphere and surface to be communicated back to …

Long-Duration Venus Explorer, Ethan Reid

Honors Theses

Venus continues to be a target of interest for the scientific community, as the similarities and differences to Earth pose intriguing questions about planetary evolution. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking to gain a better understanding of Earth’s sister planet and has presented a challenge to interested undergraduate student teams to develop a in-situ robotic explorer and accompanying relay. The student team representing Western Michigan University has designed a long-term Venusian lander to both survive the harsh environment for an extended period and gather scientific data on the planet’s atmosphere and surface to be communicated back to …

Design Of A Full-Scale Plant For Plastic Pyrolysis, Hannah Sargent

Honors Theses

With over thirty million tons of plastic accumulating in the United States every year, the need for an environmentally safe means of disposal is increasing. Only ten percent of this plastic is recycled while the majority is disposed of via landfill. With recent advances in pyrolysis research, a permanent solution is presented. By creating a pyrolysis plant, not only could billions of pounds of plastic be prevented from contributing to landfills, but also be converted to oil resulting in an environmentally beneficial and lucrative solution to plastic waste.

Project Alien, Rebecca Mccallin, Madelyn Hoying, Alex Evans, Matthew Nestler, Karli Rae Sutton, Garett Craig, Lucia Secaia Del Cid, Alexander Guy, Rachel Fernandez, Amanda Trusiak, Paige Aley, Ingabire Gakwerere, Nina Dorfner, Maria Mosbacher, Mary Flavin, Selvin Hernandez, Audrey Steen, Benjamin Kazimer

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Project ALIEN is a comprehensive plan to send humans to Mars to look for life on the Martian surface while exploring the viability and adaptability of terrestrial microbes in Martian atmospheric conditions. ALIEN will use a ballistic capture trajectory to get to Mars and stay in aerostationary orbit for a 30-day surface mission, during which two surface crewmembers will perform a variety of experiments to achieve the mission’s goals of Martian microbial discovery within brines of the Gale Crater and terrestrial microbe adaptability and viability to Martian conditions. Experimentation is based on the presumption that Martian microbes are metabolically similar …

Intelligent Management Of Constrained Links For Distributed Autonomy, Troy R. Johnson, Nathan A. Jensen

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

This paper addresses one of the main underlying obstacles overlooked when adding autonomy to a cooperative cluster of nodes working together to complete global objectives. Whether these nodes are ground, sea, air, or space vehicles, a constrained link is used to distribute information between the vehicles. The limited bandwidth of the constrained link must be shared between all nodes and becomes a pinch point for distributed autonomy. Intelligently managing the shared information and controlling how it is replicated across all nodes is vital. Lack of communication results in poor team performance. Intermittent connectivity and delayed intelligence sharing leads to the …

Mastering Uncoordinated Flight: Slips And Skids, Nihad E. Daidzic

Aviation Department Publications

FAA Safety Webinar (GL15103784) held online at 9:00 CST on Saturday, April 10, 2021.

Changing The Process In Educational Field And Air Navigation Through Advances In Hologram Technology, Camilo Fernandez Sr.

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The objective of this piece is to propose reasons that change the way air traffic controllers and others learn and work in air navigation, but also how they can improve workloads, due to the implementation of holographic radar. This research also aims to describe how this could reduce the cognitive load of an operator, thanks to the improvement of visual perspective and capacity of analysis, in order to more easily control an aircraft.

Seeing that the visual facilitation is well known, radar is able to represent in three dimensions and in detail that which could not previously be perceived. This …