Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Human Factors For Small Net Habitable Volume: The Case For A Close-Quarter Space Habitat Analog, Victor Kitmanyen, Timothy J. Disher, Ryan L. Kobrick, Jason P. Kring

Publications

Increasing efforts in sending humans to Mars calls for greater considerations of the ways in which vehicle and habitat design can influence crew performance and behavioral health.

Time Optimal State Feedback Control With Application To A Spacecraft With Cold Gas Propulsion, Samuel J. Kitchen-Mckinley, Sergey V. Drakunov

Publications

A cold gas propulsion system is well suited to provide the required thrust for a small surveyor spacecraft operated near an asteroid or planetary surface. The cold gas propellant can obtained in-situ from local surface or atmospheric constituents. For small spacecraft, the cold gas system may be limited to only on-off control of the main tank where the generated thrust is directly dependent on the tank pressure. As such the thrust will slowly decrease as the propellant is expended. A state feedback, time optimal, control law is developed for a vehicle with propellant is expended. A state feedback, time optimal, …

Six Degrees Of Freedom From Six Degrees Of Separation: The History Of Flight Simulators, David Keck, Morgan Lopez

Publications

Some of today's advanced flight simulators have the capacity to provide pilots with experiences of six degrees of freedom: forward/backward, up/down, or left/right (or pitching, rolling, or yawing in either direction). These incredible devices are the product of over 100 years of design developments that come from a series of technological discoveries and historical events.

Static Testing Of Propulsion Elements For Small Multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Robert W. Deters, S.C. Kleinke, Michael S. Selig

Publications

The growing use of small multirotor aircraft has increased the interest in having better performance results especially with the propulsion system. The size of the propellers used on these aircraft operate at low Reynolds numbers that are typically less than 200,000. Static performance testing of ten propeller pairs (tractor and pusher) were completed and is the beginning of a systematic test of propellers used on multirotor systems. The propellers chosen for this initial set of tests were selected from four popular quadrotors. Besides testing the propellers provided with the aircraft, propellers that are sold as replacements from third-party companies were …

System And Method For Robust Nonlinear Regulation Control Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Synthetic Jet Actuators, Vladimir V. Golubev, William Mackunis

Publications

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided with a plurality of synthetic jet actuators and a nonlinear robust controller. The controller compensates for uncertainty in a mathematic model that describes the function of the syn­thetic jet actuators. Compensation is provided by the use of constant feedforward best guess estimates that eliminate the need for more highly computationally burdensome approaches such as the use of time-varying adaptive param­eter estimation algorithms.

Adopting Unmanned Flight Operations Into Controlled Airspace, Jennah C. Perry, Johnny Young, Jacqueline Luedtke, Benjamin Cook, Holly Hughes, Allison M. Little, Kyle Wilkerson

Publications

Unmanned aircraft activity is becoming more common within the National Airspace System (NAS) and is expected to dominate the NAS in the near future. Specific procedures for adopting unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System (NAS).

A variation of the Military Grid Reference System was developed and digitally overlaid onto the radar display. To incorporate this grid system, a customized flight plan database was created for the storage of operator submitted flight plans. Instead of verbal communication, a computer chat system is used for communication because of the low altitude operations in the field.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has …

Integrating Unmanned Aircraft Operations Into The National Airspace System, Benjamin Cook, Holly Hughes, Allison Little, Kyle Wilkerson, Jennah C. Perry, Johnny Young, Jacqueline Luedtke

Publications

Commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are expected to dominate the National Airspace System (NAS) in the years to come. One particular barrier preventing integration of UAS into the NAS is the lack of standardized procedures for separating aircraft and communicating with ATC. In preparation for adopting unmanned flight operations into a complex control system, it is important to identify solutions to effectively control UAS in the NAS.

The Joint UAS and ATC Team (JUAT) group has designed several simulated ATC scenarios in order to determine effective solutions for integration. Through the use of digitized radar display overlays that replicate the …

Image And Information Fusion Experiments With A Software-Defined Multi-Spectral Imaging System For Aviation And Marine Sensor Networks, Sam B. Siewert, Matthew Demi Vis, Ryan Claus, Ramnarayan Krishnamurthy, Surjith B. Singh, Akshay K. Singh, Shivasankar Gunasekaran

Publications

The availability of Internet, line-of-sight and satellite identification and surveillance information as well as low-power, low-cost embedded systems-on-a-chip and a wide range of visible to long-wave infrared cameras prompted Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to collaborate with the University of Alaska Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC) in summer 2016 to prototype a camera system we call the SDMSI (Software-Defined Multi-spectral Imager). The concept for the camera system from the start has been to build a sensor node that is drop-in-place for simple roof, marine, pole-mount, or buoy-mounts. After several years of component testing, the integrated SDMSI is now being tested, first …

Multi-Site Simultaneous Time-Resolved Photometry With A Low Cost Electro-Optics System, Forrest Gasdia, Aroh Barjatya, Sergei Bilardi

Publications

Sunlight reflected off of resident space objects can be used as an optical signal for astrometric orbit determination and for deducing geometric information about the object. With the increasing population of small satellites and debris in low Earth orbit, photometry is a powerful tool in operational support of space missions, whether for anomaly resolution or object identification. To accurately determine size, shape, spin rate, status of deployables, or attitude information of an unresolved resident space object, multi-hertz sample rate photometry is required to capture the relatively rapid changes in brightness that these objects can exhibit. OSCOM, which stands for Optical …

Emerging Business Models For Commercial Spaceports: Current Trends From The Us Perspective, Janet K. Tinoco, Chunyan Yu

Publications

Agenda for Presentation:

• US Commercial/Government Active Launch Sites
• Why Commercial Spaceports?
• Spaceport Business Model Drivers
• Spaceport Multi-Modal Facility and Infrastructure Requirements
• Emerging Spaceport Business Models
• Summary and Concluding Remarks

Suitability Testing For Possum Scientist-Astronaut Candidates Using The Suborbital Space Flight Simulator With An Iva Spacesuit, Pedro J. Llanos, Erik Seedhouse, Ryan L. Kobrick

Publications

This paper evaluates key functional data parameters that must be considered for suborbital spaceflight participants wearing pressurized suits for intravehicular activity (IVA). Data parameters of an analog spacesuit worn in an analog flight environment were obtained from 40 civilian participants using the Suborbital Space Flight Simulator (SSFS) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) while donning Final Frontier Design’s (FFD) fully pressurized third-generation spacesuit as part of their training for Project PoSSUM (the Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere Project). The physiological data collected included: blood pressure, electrocardiograms, heart rate, grip strength, and skin temperature. These parameters were measured using a …

Standardization Of Human-Computer-Interface For Geo-Fencing In Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, David Thirtyacre, Robert Brents, Michael Goldfein, David Hunter, B. Terwilliger

Publications

The use of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) has increased significantly in the past year. Geographic fencing (geo-fencing) is software built into most medium-cost consumer sUAS. This software is typically used to limit the altitude above launch point, the flight distance from the transmitting controller, and/or restrict flight inside a no-fly zone. While the concept of a geo-fence is simplistic, the human-computer-interface (HCI) varies drastically among platforms, and even between software iterations on the same platform. This research examines the HCI of three popular consumer-level sUAS with regard to geo-fencing. The software procedures and human interface for the DJI Inspire-1, …

Software Defined Multi-Spectral Imaging For Arctic Sensor Networks, Sam B. Siewert, Matthew Demi Vis, Ryan Claus, Vivek Angoth, Karthikeyan Mani, Kenrick Mock, Surjith B. Singh, Saurav Srivistava, Chris Wagner

Publications

Availability of off-the-shelf infrared sensors combined with high definition visible cameras has made possible the construction of a Software Defined Multi-Spectral Imager (SDMSI) combining long-wave, near-infrared and visible imaging. The SDMSI requires a real-time embedded processor to fuse images and to create real-time depth maps for opportunistic uplink in sensor networks. Researchers at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University working with University of Alaska Anchorage at the Arctic Domain Awareness Center and the University of Colorado Boulder have built several versions of a low-cost drop-in-place SDMSI to test alternatives for power efficient image fusion. The SDMSI is intended for use in field …

Cognitive Loading, Affect Regulation And Aerodynamic Considerations In Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Systems Refueling Operations, Sam Holley, Ian R. Mcandrew

Publications

Factors influencing aerodynamics involved in aerial refueling illustrate the potential for specialist operators to manage these operations for remotely piloted vehicles. The authors review aerodynamic characteristics of uninhabited aerial systems during refueling, drogue and boom design and associated flight dynamics, cognitive factors associated with control transfer and refueling, and affective components and their influence on decision making and operator performance. Attention is directed to cognitive loading and encoding challenges, with considerations for hippocampal mapping and hemispheric asymmetry. Implications for system state awareness are examined. Advantages for specially trained refueling pilot operators are discussed and recommendations given for areas of concentration.

Lift & Drag Reductions On Iced Wings During Take Off And Landing With Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Ian R. Mcandrew

Publications

This research paper addresses an novel problem that has not been addressed in detail for many decades. Ice formation on aircraft has procedures and protocols to deal with expected and actual problems. Complex modern aircraft are equipped with a variety of techniques to remove Ice formation on an aircraft, especially the wings. The introduction of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles has added an old problem, that of low speed and the lack of power to overcome losses in lift through ice formation. In this research the different types of Ice formation, how they combine and affect Lift and Drag are also addresses …

A Sliding Mode Lco Regulation Strategy For Dual-Parallel Underactuated Uav Systems Using Synthetic Jet Actuators, N. Ramos-Pedroza, W. Mackunis, M. Reyhanoglu

Publications

"A sliding mode control- (SMC-) based limit cycle oscillation (LCO) regulation method is presented, which achieves asymptotic LCO suppression for UAVs using synthetic jet actuators (SJAs). With a focus on applications involving small UAVs with limited onboard computational resources, the controller is designed with a simplistic structure, requiring no adaptive laws, function approximators, or complex calculations in the control loop. The control law is rigorously proven to achieve asymptotic regulation of both pitching and plunging displacements for a class of systems in a dual-parallel underactuated form, where a single scalar control signal simultaneously affects two states. Since dual-parallel underactuated systems …

Exploring New Lagrangian Cyclers To Enhance Science: Communications With Cubesat Technology, Pedro P. Llanos, Abdiel Santos Galindo, John Ford

Publications

This paper discusses the opportunities that abound by using the CubeSat technology to travel to and communicate with the International Space Station, explore space, monitor space weather, monitor space debris and perhaps travel to Mars.

Slipstream Measurements Of Small-Scale Propellers At Low Reynolds Numbers, Robert W. Deters, Gavin K. Ananda, Michael S. Selig

Publications

The continuing growth in the use of small UAVs has required the need to more fully understand the propellers that power them. Part of this understanding is the behavior of the propeller slipstream. Using a 7-hole probe, the slipstreams of several small-scale propellers (diameters of 4.2, 5, and 9 in) were measured in both static (V∞ = 0) and advancing-flow (V∞ > 0) conditions at several locations downstream. For static conditions, as the slipstream expanded downstream, the maximum values of the axial and swirl velocities decreased. The general shape of the static slipstream was also found to be nearly the same …

Uas Capabilities And Performance Modeling For Application Analysis, Brent Terwilliger, Dennis Vincenzi, David Ison, Rene Herron, Todd Smith

Publications

Our team of researchers from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide has been actively compiling published performance data associated with commercially-off-the-shelf (COTS) group 1 to 3 fixed-wing and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in an effort to develop statistical models of each category. The captured data, which includes maximum speed, cruise speed, endurance, weights, wind limitations, and costs, is used to calculate capabilities including range (one-way and return), time to objective, station keeping duration, maneuver requirements, and derive limited missing information (e.g., component speeds and weights). The benefit from assembling such a unified collection of information and the calculation …

The Panther: 2015 Aiaa Design Build Fly, Bryce Milnes, Chris Crawford

Publications

The ERAU Prescott chapter of AIAA participated in the 2015 AIAA Design Build Fly competition at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson from April 10-12. A remote controlled aircraft meeting and exceeding all competition performance requirements was designed and fabricated by the 30+ students of the team. Additionally, a 60 page report was submitted detailing the project starting from initial considerations and advancing through flight test verification of aircraft capabilities. The success of this project was enabled by the E-Prize and SGA funding received to support our efforts throughout the year. The lessons learned regarding management and planning, engineering design approaches, …

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav) Propulsion Research: Conceptual Studies Of “Ultra-Compact Shaft-Less Jet Engines” For Next Generation Uavs, Tyler Eiguren, Trevor Douglas, Tre Buchanan

Publications

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are becoming more commonly used in today’s society, ranging anywhere from military applications to entertainment for enthusiasts and hobbyists. The complexity of current generation UAV’s propulsive devices, based upon a scaled turbine engine and separate gas & electrically powered rotating fan blades, require regular maintenance for every 24 hours of flight. This added cost coupled with necessary intricate machinery deters UAV designers from such engines, leaving a void in current production. Our research team believes that by combining a simplified alternative compression & combustion process with an electrically driven fan, we can develop an energy efficient, reliable, …

Faa Letter In Response To White House Letter Regarding Faa Changes To Air Traffic Control Specialist Hiring Process, Tim Brady, Gregory Mcguirk

Publications

On July 18, 2014, you submitted a letter to President Obama regarding the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) recent changes to the Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) hiring process. You expressed concern with the FAA's decision to implement a single all sources hiring strategy and, as a result, you feel that it has disadvantaged graduates who successfully completed the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program, such as xxx. You also expressed concern with the implementation of the Biographical Assessment. Your letter was forwarded by the White House to our agency to address your concerns.

Characterization And Low-Dimensional Modeling Of Urban Fluid Flow, Dietmar Rempfer, Candace Wark, Bruno Monnier, Sriharsha Kandala

Publications

This report describes work that was done under AFOSR Contract Number FA9550-11-1-0056, studying the structure of a model urban boundary layer flow. The model geometry consisted of a set of plexiglass blocks, and the flow around this geometry was studied both experimentally as well as computationally. For the experiment, a Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) method was developed that allows for a three-dimensional description of this urban flow, and helps gain insight into the characteristic flow structures in the streets and canyons of our model urban geometry. On the computational side, a new spectral-element code was developed that was demonstrated …

On Uav Robust Nonlinear Control In Presence Of Parametric Uncertainties, Vladimir V. Golubev, William Mackunis

Publications

We examine a new robust nonlinear flight control technology that employs an array of synthetic-jet micro-actuators embedded in UAV wing design in order to completely eliminate moving parts (such as ailerons) thus greatly enhancing maneuverability required for small fixed-wing air vehicles operating, e.g., in tight urban environments. Estimated fast response times are critical in mitigating gust effects while greatly improving flight stability and control. The new controller design is particularly advantageous for high levels of uncertainty and nonlinearity present both in the unsteady flowpath environment and in the embedded actuator’s response. The current work focuses on a benchmark case of …

Overview Of Instruments For Investigating Dust Interactions On Small Solar System Bodies By Landers And Rovers, Ryan L. Kobrick, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Kenneth W. Street Jr., Douglas L. Rickman

Publications

Small Solar System bodies such as asteroids, comets and Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos have relatively unknown regolith environments. It is hypothesized that dust preserved in the regolith on the surfaces will have similar mechanical properties to lunar dust because of similar formation processes from micrometeoric bombardment, low relative gravity for slow settling times, and virtually no weathering because there is no atmosphere.

Space Shuttle Case Studies: Challenger And Columbia, Scott L. Post

Publications

The two Space Shuttle tragedies, Challenger and Columbia, have led to many papers on case studies on engineering ethics. The Challenger disaster in particular is often discussed due to the infamous teleconference that took place the night before the launch in which some engineers tried to postpone the launch. However, the space shuttle program itself is worthy of study as it relates to the engineering design process, and the details of the Challenger and Columbia disasters are worthy of discussion as they relate to a variety of sub-disciplines, including material science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. This paper summarizes …

The Role Of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Uas) In Disaster Response And Recovery Efforts: Historical, Current And Future, Dennis Vincenzi, David C. Ison, Brent A. Terwilliger

Publications

A wide range of legislation has been proposed or put into place that restricts the use of unmanned systems. These actions by legislators and regulators will stifle the growth of this technology and the associated surrounding industry. The largest obstacle to the proliferation of UAS in the U.S. is the FAA. The FAA has designated the location of six test sites that are anticipated to allow for less restrictive and formative research to assess the technologies that the FAA has claimed need to exist in order to integrate UAS into the NAS. Further complicating the adoption of UAS for beneficent …

Cti White Paper, Tim Brady, Gregory Mcguirk

Publications

The FAA Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program has 36 partner institutions across the United States which offer a variety of accredited academic degrees and actively promote a multicultural and diverse collegiate environment.

White Paper On Tuition Based Ab Initio Training Programs For Air Traffic Controllers, Tim Brady, Gregory Mcguirk

Publications

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is proposing an evaluation to transform the legacy method for hiring and training air traffic controllers. This evaluation will examine a transition to a prospective employee-funded, tuition-based model, while reinvesting savings to create a state-of-the-art air traffic training center at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.

Space Tourism: Hurdles And Hopes, Robert A. Goehlich

Publications

According to the Space Policy Institute (2002, Bib. section), “Space tourism is the term broadly applied to the concept of paying customers traveling beyond Earth’s atmosphere.” Operating reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) might be a first step toward achieving mass space tourism. Thus, the aim of this article is to investigate the potential hurdles and other aspects of importance that must be overcome in order to use RLVs for space tourism flights. The primary ones are social issues (e.g., “Is space tourism ethically acceptable?”), institutional issues (e.g., “Is environmental pollution caused by space tourism more harmful than other emission sources?”), and …