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Articles 121 - 150 of 1674
Full-Text Articles in Aerospace Engineering
Lunar Search And Rescue: The Next Step For Human Spaceflight Recovery, Benjamin J. Johnis
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, Alec E. Cook
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, Christopher L. Bellanova Jr.
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 …
Estimation Of Optimal Flight Trajectory In A Total Power Loss Scenario Using Proximal Policy Optimization, Eidahn Eliash
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 …
Suitability Of Earth-Moon Triangular Lagrange Point Orbits For Space Situational Awareness, Eric P. Burkhart
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 …
Gaseous Fuel Combustion In A Small Turbojet, Katherine A. Ashton
Gaseous Fuel Combustion In A Small Turbojet, Katherine A. Ashton
Theses and Dissertations
This project set out to test the suitability of natural gas as an aviation fuel by comparing how a small turbojet performed when run on traditional jet fuel versus methane. A JetCat P400, originally designed for jet fuel, was modified to run on methane. The modifications made did not succeed at getting the engine to run at normal operating speed on methane, but did get the engine to run at normal operating speeds using ethylene and ethane. It was determined a fuel and air mixing problem was hindering the engine performance when run on methane Future studies improving the fuel …
Overall Effectiveness Superposition Theory For A Film Cooled Leading Edge, Bailey W. Hopkins
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, …
Performance Analysis And Recommended Improvements Of A Cubesat Resistojet, Alexander M. Petrocelli
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. …
Investigation Of Hypersonic Near-Wake Relaminarization Over A 7 Degree Half-Angle Cone, Jesse L. Roberts
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 …
Shock Induced Trailing Edge Separation Effect On F-16 Limit-Cycle Oscillation, Eric D. Stubblefield
Shock Induced Trailing Edge Separation Effect On F-16 Limit-Cycle Oscillation, Eric D. Stubblefield
Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
Mechanical Properties And Performance Of A Novel Nano-Engineered Unitized Composite With Quasi-Isotropic Layup, Brian Matthew Pudlo
Mechanical Properties And Performance Of A Novel Nano-Engineered Unitized Composite With Quasi-Isotropic Layup, Brian Matthew Pudlo
Theses and Dissertations
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit outstanding mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, but are a challenge to effectively implement into macroscopic composites for aerospace applications. This research investigates the mechanical properties and performance of a newly developed hybrid NanoStitch composite, alongside a control polymer matrix composite, at room temperature. Both composite material systems investigated in this work have quasi-isotropic layup. Monotonic tension-tofailure, tension-tension fatigue, and creep tests were performed to characterize the performance of the composites under cyclic and sustained loading. Experimental results obtained for the quasi-isotropic NanoStitch composite were compared to those obtained for the quasi-isotropic control composite. The properties and …
Debris Survivability Study For Mega-Constellation Architectures, Joseph C. Canoy
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 …
Direct Collocation Methods For Comparison Of Aerothermodynamic Models Effect On Hypersonic Trajectory Optimization By The Process Of Continuation, Noor K. Khan
Theses and Dissertations
An algorithm was created to optimize trajectories of hypersonic glide vehicles with selected cost functions by applying the process of continuation to direct orthogonal collocation methods. The trajectory was optimized to maximize the range of launch position given a fixed terminal location. The hypersonic glide vehicle system dynamics were modeled with three-dimensional, three degree of freedom equations of motion assuming no thrust and a non-rotating Earth with the control as bank angle. Three aerothermodynamic models were compared when input as path constraints to calculate the stagnation point heating rate at the nose as well as integrated for heat load. Use …
Characterizing Jet Interaction Effects On A Cone In Mach 3.9 Flow, Titus J. Lee
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 …
Optimal Gyroid Infill For Space Launch, Jose R. Lopez Cordell
Optimal Gyroid Infill For Space Launch, Jose R. Lopez Cordell
Theses and Dissertations
This research characterizes the optimal gyroid infill design for the 1st frequency response of composite sandwich panels. Structural performance may be improved by designing the gyroid infill within the sandwich panel to have a 1st mode resonance frequency above typical launch vehicle vibrations. Ensuring a component generates a natural frequency response above a designed threshold is mandatory for space launch systems to prevent damage. The gyroid, a Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS), has the potential to provide close to isotropic stiffness in the principal axes with a minimal amount of material, making it an attractive choice for this application. This …
Detonation Confinement In A Second-Generation Radial Rotating Engine, John T. Ursino
Detonation Confinement In A Second-Generation Radial Rotating Engine, John T. Ursino
Theses and Dissertations
In recent years, Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs) have been coupled with turbomachinery to harness the benefits of detonative combustion. A novel type of RDE, referred to as the disk or Radial RDE (RRDE), has been developed in pursuit of length and weight savings compared to a traditional annular flow RDE. This design includes a disk-shaped device within which reactants flow from the outer radius, detonate, and exit the inner radius. In this paper several modifications have been made to a previously tested RRDE to address issues that arose with the original design. The combustion chamber diameter has been increased to …
Development Of Novel Turbomachinery Manufacturing Methods, Timothy P. Winkler
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 …
To The Moon: Strategic Competition In The Cislunar Region, Shawn M. Willis
To The Moon: Strategic Competition In The Cislunar Region, Shawn M. Willis
Faculty Publications
China’s advancing space capabilities, particularly in the cislunar region, call for increased cislunar space domain awareness on the part of the United States. US military and civilian decisionmakers must take into account the full scope of China’s cislunar plans and capabilities as the military builds space strategies and future force designs. The United States must also increase near-term investments that support more robust cislunar space domain awareness.
Resilience Monitoring For Multi-Filter All-Source Navigation Framework With Assurance, Jonathon S. Gipson, Robert C. Leishman
Resilience Monitoring For Multi-Filter All-Source Navigation Framework With Assurance, Jonathon S. Gipson, Robert C. Leishman
Faculty Publications
The Autonomous and Resilient Management of All-source Sensors (ARMAS) framework monitors residual-space test statistics across unique sensor-exclusion banks of filters (known as subfilters) to provide a resilient, fault-resistant all-source navigation architecture with assurance. A critical assumption of this architecture, demonstrated in this paper, is fully overlapping state observability across all subfilters. All-source sensors, particularly those that only provide partial state information (altimeters, TDoA, AOB, etc.), do not intrinsically meet this requirement. This paper presents a novel method to monitor real-time overlapping position state observability and introduces an observability bank within the ARMAS framework, known as stable observability monitoring (SOM). SOM …
Analysis Of Propeller Designs Focusing On Lowering Sound Pressure Level Through Reduced Tip Loading, Luca A. Zeitvogel
Analysis Of Propeller Designs Focusing On Lowering Sound Pressure Level Through Reduced Tip Loading, Luca A. Zeitvogel
Theses and Dissertations
This research focused on potential design optimizations for small propellers. Designs sought to reduce noise generated without sacrificing efficiency by “unloading” the propeller tip by reducing angle of attack near the tip. To see if nearfield performance improvements translated to a reduction in farfield sound pressure level, farfield experimental acoustic testing was performed on propellers that had been measured experimentally in the nearfield. The farfield results provided limited insight due to an equipment malfunction during testing. However, a large data set was obtained, which provides opportunities for future analyses. A computational simulation sought to recreate some of the nearfield experiments …
Seal For A Wave Rotor Disk Engine, Christopher Tait, Pejman Akbari, Brian Sell, Marc D. Polanka
Seal For A Wave Rotor Disk Engine, Christopher Tait, Pejman Akbari, Brian Sell, Marc D. Polanka
AFIT Patents
A unique seal for a wave rotor disk engine is disclosed herein. The seal is operable for sealing a region between a rotor and a rotor casing. The seal is spring loaded and will engage with the tip of the rotor to reduce pressure loss within the wave rotor disk engine.
Turbine Cooling System With Energy Separation, James L. Rutledge, Matthew Fuqua, Carol M. Bryant
Turbine Cooling System With Energy Separation, James L. Rutledge, Matthew Fuqua, Carol M. Bryant
AFIT Patents
A method and system for cooling an engine and/or vehicle using energy separation is disclosed herein. An energy separation device is operable for separating a compressed gaseous coolant stream into a first relatively cooler coolant flow stream and a second relatively hotter coolant flow stream. The relative cooler coolant flow stream is directed to a first region requiring increased cooling and the relative hotter coolant flow stream is directed to a second region requiring lower cooling than the first region in the engine or vehicle.
Additive Manufacturing Of Molybdenum For High Temperature Structural Applications, Megan L. Bustin
Additive Manufacturing Of Molybdenum For High Temperature Structural Applications, Megan L. Bustin
Theses and Dissertations
This research considered additive manufactured (AM) molybdenum (Mo) and the effect of three variables on microstructure, mechanical properties, and the relationship between the two. Test temperature, laser speed, and shield gas or build atmosphere were varied, and samples tested and analyzed using a three-point bending test, chemical composition, and optical and scanning electron microscopy. The relationship among variables and results using a Design of Experiments was limited compared to the inclusion of every tested sample. Most effects were expected: samples tested at room temperature were brittle without statistical significance; increasing laser speed resulted in decreased ductility and strain, smaller grain …
Finite Fatigue Life Prediction Of Additively Manufactured Aircraft Engine Turbine Blade With Respect To Internal Defect Size And Location, Daniel G. Miller
Finite Fatigue Life Prediction Of Additively Manufactured Aircraft Engine Turbine Blade With Respect To Internal Defect Size And Location, Daniel G. Miller
Theses and Dissertations
Current fatigue life modeling techniques with respect to defects emphasize the dependence on the defect size with respect to fatigue life, but does not account for the effects of where a defect might be located. This research outlines a process to include defect location into the model analysis for a more precise prediction of the number of cycles to failure and where the finial failure could occur within a component. The focus is on a turbine blade structure using IN718 subjected to a pure vibratory load. The basic model predicts component life using a stress map from the frequency analysis …
Orbit Determination With Event-Based Cameras To Improve Space Domain Awareness, Conor M. Wisentaner
Orbit Determination With Event-Based Cameras To Improve Space Domain Awareness, Conor M. Wisentaner
Theses and Dissertations
The objective of this research is to assess the utility of a COTS EBC for SDA applications by evaluating its ability to produce data for orbit updates of resident space objects. Unlike traditional frame-based imaging sensors, the pixels on an EBC activate independently when a change in brightness is detected to produce a continuous data flow on a per pixel basis. This unique functionality provides much higher temporal resolution than traditional frame-based sensors, such that an EBC can generate far more data points from a single observation than a frame-based sensor. However, current COTS EBCs have less spatial resolution than …
Mechanical Properties And Tension-Tension Fatigue Behavior Of A Novel Additively Manufactured Polymer Matrix Composite At Room And Elevated Temperature, Grayson M. Harber
Mechanical Properties And Tension-Tension Fatigue Behavior Of A Novel Additively Manufactured Polymer Matrix Composite At Room And Elevated Temperature, Grayson M. Harber
Theses and Dissertations
The tension-tension fatigue behavior of a novel additively manufactured AM carbon fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite was studied. This novel material system consists of T1100 carbon fibers, and a UV photocured resin developed by Continuous Composites and Sartomer. Tensile properties and tension-tension fatigue were investigated for the 090 fiber orientation as well as for the ±45 fiber orientation. Specimens with 0/90 fiber orientation were tested at ambient laboratory temperature 23 °C and at elevated temperature 150 °C, while the specimens with the ±45 fiber orientation were tested only at ambient laboratory temperature. Tension-tension fatigue testing was carried out with a …
Disk Engine With Circumferential Swirl Radial Combustor, Brian Bohan, Marc Polanka, Bennett Staton
Disk Engine With Circumferential Swirl Radial Combustor, Brian Bohan, Marc Polanka, Bennett Staton
AFIT Patents
A disk engine and system configured to provide high power at a reduced axial length is disclosed herein. The disk engine includes a radial compressor, a compressor discharge manifold positioned circumferentially about compressor, a combustion chamber positioned within the discharge manifold and a radial turbine positioned radially inward of the combustion chamber.
Beyond The High Ground: A Taxonomy For Earth-Moon System Operations, Adam P. Wilmer, Robert A. Bettinger
Beyond The High Ground: A Taxonomy For Earth-Moon System Operations, Adam P. Wilmer, Robert A. Bettinger
Faculty Publications
Situational and space domain awareness in the space domain can no longer be confined to that which is found in geosynchronous orbit. International activities—commercial and military—and threats to the planet itself exist and are increasing across the entire Earth-Moon system. This reality requires a new taxonomy to accurately classify space domain awareness missions and better apply resources to and development of the same. This work presents such a taxonomy for the classification of space domain awareness regions.
Performance Study Of Post-Processed Additively Manufactured Low Thrust Nozzles, Tyler W. Gerhold
Performance Study Of Post-Processed Additively Manufactured Low Thrust Nozzles, Tyler W. Gerhold
Theses and Dissertations
This research explores metal post-processing techniques to effectively reduce the large anomalous protrusions found in small additively manufactured low thrust rocket nozzles. Research has found that nozzles of this kind can experience losses in thrust of over 40%. Analytic theory of adiabatic nozzle flow with viscous losses for additively manufactured nozzles does not align with what has been found when tested experimentally. Compressible flow losses, such as shock wave formation inside the nozzle diverging cone, are likely the leading causes of such loss. Reduction in nozzle irregularities can likely yield results seen in analytic theory with similar performance to traditional …
Early Warning Reentry System Comprising High Efficiency Module For Determining Spacecraft Reentry Time, Robert A. Bettinger
Early Warning Reentry System Comprising High Efficiency Module For Determining Spacecraft Reentry Time, Robert A. Bettinger
AFIT Patents
The present invention relates to an early warning reentry system comprising a high efficiency module for determining spacecraft reentry time and a highly efficient method for determining spacecraft reentry time. The method permits more accurate, earlier spacecraft reentry time determinations using publicly available trajectory information without the need for accounting for the actual design configuration of the spacecraft in question. Thus, a module for making such determinations can easily and inexpensively be added to an early warning reentry system.