Aeronautical Vehicles Commons^™

Optimal Integrated Cfd-Gnc Model For Drag-Based Reentry Dynamics, Sebastian Lopez

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This research focuses on optimizing the control of a drag-maneuvering, Starship-class re-entry vehicle by closely integrating high-fidelity aerodynamic data derived from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, specifically using StarCCM+. The aerodynamic models, tailored to the unique geometry of a drag-maneuvering body, are seamlessly incorporated into a guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) framework. This integration enables closed-loop CFD simulations with real-time control feedback, allowing for direct analysis and optimization of vehicle stability, trajectory, and control demands throughout the re-entry process.

Building upon the work of Gaglio and Bevilacqua, this advanced CFD-GNC model introduces high-order aerodynamic effects, such as aerodynamic moments and …

Effect Of Nozzle Pressure Ratio On Thrust And Flow Behavior In A Supersonic De Laval Nozzle, Esha Jain

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Supersonic nozzles operate across a range of flow regimes. While an ideally expanded condition yields optimal thrust, practical propulsion systems rarely operate at this design point due to variations in altitude and engine operating conditions. As a result, nozzles frequently operate in off-design conditions. In overexpanded regime, where the exit pressure is lower than the ambient pressure, shock-induced separation may occur within the divergent section of the nozzle, potentially degrading nozzle performance. Understanding the aerodynamic behavior of nozzles operating under off-design conditions is therefore important for improving propulsion system performance and stability. In particular, direct thrust measurements provide a key …

Sees Presentation: Small Satellites Power Systems, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "SEES Presentation: Small Satellites Power Systems" from June 12, 2025.

How Education Sats Started, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "How Education Sats Started" from June 12, 2025.

Space Program, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Space Program" from June 12, 2025.

L2 Certification Rocket Launch, Seungyou Cho

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The LOC 835 high-power rocket with J275W-12 motor at Argonia, KS, for L2 certification, was auspiciously launched and returned. J means the motor can exert 640-1280 Ns of impulse, which makes a sizeable propelling sound. Even though four main hindrances occurred from the construction to the launch, the issues were revised correctly. The rail button and the tracker were severe issues, so I devised the method of drilling a hole for the rail button, but there was no way to replace a broken tracker. The wind speed on the launch day was so strong that the rocket flew 1-2 miles …

Modeling The Dynamics Of Flexible Aerospace Vehicles Using The Theory Of Functional Connections, Carlo Lombardi

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Modeling and control of flexible vehicles is a topic of high interest in the aerospace field and a key challenge lies in finding accurate mathematical representations of the flexible dynamics of continuous elastic structures that allow simple integration into estimation and control algorithms. The answer was found in approximating the dynamics of these systems with sets of coupled Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE) for which a well-established estimation and control theory is available. Each of the techniques employed to achieve this goal is characterized by its own strengths and limitations. Hence, the main objective of this research is to develop the …

Towards The Wearable Cardiorespiratory Sensors For Aerospace Applications, Chandan Sheikder

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

In safety-critical aviation operations, adaptive Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) rely on accurate physiological monitoring to mitigate cognitive overload. While cardiorespiratory sensors are promising for real-time cognitive workload assessment, existing studies lack rigorous validation of consumer-grade devices in high-stress aviation contexts and fail to address measurement uncertainty propagation. This study evaluates the Zephyr BioHarness, a commercial wearable sensor, against clinical-grade equipment during arithmetic tasks simulating aviation cognitive demands. By integrating a neuro-fuzzy system with uncertainty propagation methods, we quantify the reliability of heart rate (HR) and breathing rate (BR) metrics for workload estimation. Results demonstrate moderate HR accuracy (RMSE: 4.85 bpm, CC: …

Implementation Of A Neural Network Execution Framework For Generalized And Cross-Platform Deep Learning Deployment And Inference On Spacecraft Systems, Rafael Polanco Segovia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent advances in hardware and software technology have made it possible to implement more resource-demanding deep learning algorithms in constrained hardware environments. This creates opportunities to use deep learning for aerospace applications on increasingly smaller aerospace vehicles. This work presents the implementation of a Neural Network Execution Framework (NNEF), which aims to provide a cross-platform and reusable framework to deploy and execute trained neural networks for deep learning aerospace applications. The NNEF executes any neural network inference process regardless of the original deep learning framework in which it was created, for supported flight software platforms, and space-like computer boards. Users …

Understanding Orbits: Orbit Facts, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Understanding Orbits: Orbit Facts" from October 22, 2024.

Understanding Orbits: Just Enough To Make You Dangerous, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Understanding Orbits: Just enough to make you dangerous" from October 22, 2024.

Error Detection & Correction, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs on "Error Detection & Correction" from August 2, 2024.

Re-Architecting Space Systems: Infrastructure Changes Everything, Rick Fleeter

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Rick Fleeter on "Re-Architecting Space Systems: Infrastructure Changes Everything" from

Comm-Modulation & Data Transmission Errors, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs on "Comm-Modulation & Data Transmission Errors" from August 2, 2024.

Space Program: Center For Space Research - Austin, Texas #3, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Space Program: Center for Space Research - Austin, Texas #3" from July 29, 2024.

Space Program: Center For Space Research - Austin, Texas #2, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Space Program: Center for Space Research - Austin, Texas #2" from July 29, 2024.

Space Program: Center For Space Research - Austin, Texas #1, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Space Program: Center for Space Research - Austin, Texas" from July 12, 2024.

Slimsat, Robert J. Twiggs, Nick Pugh

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs and Nick Pugh titled "SlimSat" from July 11, 2024.

Experimental And Numerical Analysis Of Laminar And Transitional Flow Through Annular Corrugated Pipes, Joseph Russell Sargent

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents studies on pressure loss through annular corrugated pipes to determine a friction factor coefficient using nitrogen. Ten different corrugated pipes’ geometries were evaluated via testing and experimentation. The ratio of corrugation height to inner diameter varied from 0.233 to 0.333 and the ratio of corrugation pitch to inner diameter varied from 0.181 to 0.446. Nitrogen flow rates between 0.25 to 94.4 standard liters per minute were used, resulting in Reynolds numbers, based on the corrugated pipe inner diameter, from 100 to 23,000. The experimental set-up was validated using smooth-pipe pressure loss measurements and the derived friction factor …

Martian Atmospheric Rover Simulation (M.A.R.S.), Matt Berard, Shelby Beddard, Alexander Brunette, Emma Conti, Collin Duke, Delaney Novak, Keelin Weaver

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

While rovers have been used by various agencies to explore Mars, their travel is limited by terrain obstacles, which may prevent mission completion. Creating a vehicle equipped with both driving and flight capabilities would allow greater range of motion on extraterrestrial planets. Integrating the technology for both transportation modes into one rover allows for efficiency and advancements in technological and planetary research.

Your New Astronautics Assignment, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Your New Astronautics Assignment" from January 31, 2024.

Mobile Robot Adhesion Methodology And Development Of An Automatous Robot Module, Lauren Baird, Zachariah Stone, Madison Lemons, Jonathon Moody

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Due to the increasing availability of space travel as not only a scientific exploration but a commercial exploration, there is a need for an onsite repair station that can be deployed in the event of aircraft maintenance, damage, or failure. We have been tasked with researching and creating a prototype of an automatous robot that can be attached to a spacecraft body, move along the surface while avoiding obstacles, scan for damage, 3D print a repair piece, and then make the repair, all without the need of direct human input. Our team, as will be discussed throughout, was tasked with …

Cubesats For Education, Not Any More #3, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "CubeSats for Education, Not Any More" from November 22, 2023.

Cubesats For Education, Not Any More #2, Robert J. Twiggs, Aaron Zuckerman

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs and Aaron Zuckerman titled "CubeSats for Education, Not Any More" from November 21, 2023.

Steady And Transient Study Of Conjugate Heat Transfer In Regenerative Cooled Nozzle, Khaled Bensayah, Khadidja Kamri

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research

The Heat transfer is one of the most serious challenges that exist in a supersonic nozzle flow. The combustion chamber wall and the nozzle are exposed to high-temperature gases during combustion and gas expansion, which can eventually lead to structural failure. This paper reports a computational study of steady and transient conjugate heat transfer in regenerative water cooled nozzle. Numerical computation solved Reynolds-averaged equations based on RSM-Omega turbulence model coupling with solid-phase heat conduction equation and with coolant-phase. The effect of four inlet cooled approach length 0 inch, 6 inch, 12 inch and 18 inch are studied and validated against …

How Education Sats Started & A Youth Amsat-Na Program Proposal, Robert J. Twiggs, Nick Pugh

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "How Education Sats Started & A Youth Amsat-NA Program Proposal" from October 21, 2023.

Skyqube V2, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "SkyQube V2" from August 19, 2023.

Skyqube: Developing Tools For Stem Education Focusing On Space System Engineering, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "SkyQube: Developing Tools for STEM Education Focusing on Space System Engineering" from January 11, 2023.

Nusat I Project, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "NUSAT I Project" from 2023.

Optimal Path Planning For Aerial Robots Using Genetic Algorithm, Anna Puigvert I Juan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis presents a path optimization solution for a robot in two different constrained 3-dimensional (3D) environments. The robot is required to travel from its current position to a goal position following minimum cost paths (optimal paths). The first environment has 3D obstacles that interfere with the robot’s path. The path cost for this environment accounts for the minimum distance traveled by the robot from the start to the goal position while avoiding obstacles. The second environment is the atmosphere of Venus, specifically a flyable region of this atmosphere with characteristics similar to Earth’s. This environment has strong westward winds …