Astrodynamics Commons^™

Solar Eclipse Induced Atmospheric Turbulence Effects On High Altitude Balloons, Fnu Anamika, Denise Buckner, Peter Henson, Jennifer Fowler, Nanette Valentour

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

The North Dakota Atmospheric Education Student Initiated Research (ND-AESIR) team launched a balloon during the total solar eclipse in Rexburg, Idaho. After the umbra’s passage, the balloon experienced unexpectedly high levels of atmospheric turbulence. Video footage taken from the payload displays the conditions, and analysis of flight path data models created from the iridium GPS confirm that unusually violent turbulence occurred. These forces caused the key rings holding the bottom of the parachute to the payload train to rip open; the balloon and parachute flew away and the payloads free fell to the surface from an altitude of 68,301 feet. …

Integrating Spaceshiptwo Into The National Airspace System, Erik Seedhouse, Pedro Llanos

Pedro J. Llanos (www.AstronauticsLlanos.com)

Satellite Propulsion Spectral Signature Detection And Analysis For Space Situational Awareness Using Small Telescopes, Pamela L. Wheeler

Theses and Dissertations

Safe satellite operations are of utmost importance. Maintaining precise orbital maintenance places stringent performance requirements on current propulsion systems, which are often electric propulsion systems. Electron temperature is a commonly used diagnostic to determine the performance of a Hall thruster, and recent work has correlated near infrared (NIR) spectral measurements of ionization lines of xenon and krypton to electron temperature measurements. In the research herein, appropriate line spectra ratios are identified for each propellant type when used with remote space-to-ground observations. NIR plume emissions were used to characterize a 600 Watt Hall thruster for a variety of observation angles and …

Analysis Of An Experimental Space Debris Removal Mission, Krista L.L. Roth

Theses and Dissertations

Encountering space debris is an ever-increasing problem in space exploration and exploitation, especially in Low Earth Orbit. While many space-faring governing bodies have attempted to control the orbital lifetime post mission completion of satellites and rocker bodies, objects already in orbit pose a danger to future mission planning. Currently, governments and academic institutions are working to develop missions to remove space debris; however, the proposed missions are typically costly primary missions. This research proposes an alternative to use an upper stage rocket, to be called a chaser, already launching a primary mission near the desired debris as a host for …

Mass Estimation Through Fusion Of Astrometric And Photometric Data Collection With Application To High Area-To-Mass Ratio Objects, Matthew Richardson

Master's Theses

This thesis work presents the formulation for a tool developed in MATLAB to determine the mass of a space object from the fusion of astrometric and photometric data. The application for such a tool is to better model the mass estimation method used for high area-to-mass ratio objects found in high altitude orbit regimes. Typically, the effect of solar radiation pressure is examined with angles observations to deduce area-to-mass ratio calculations for space objects since the area-to-mass ratio can greatly affect its orbital dynamics. On the other hand, photometric data is not sensitive to mass but is a function of …

The Effect Of Surface Materials And Morphology On Wingsuit Aerodynamics, Timothy Allen Sestak

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This study examines the aerodynamic effects of the materials, textiles, and morphologies currently used in wingsuit design and construction. The experiment was a low-speed wind tunnel investigation using a rigid wing with an aspect ratio of 2, a NACA 4418 airfoil cross section and a smooth, polished painted surface as a baseline. The baseline wing was modified by covering the upper and lower surfaces with various textiles currently used in wingsuit construction. This study is the first step in continued research to design and build a wingsuit with superior glide performance compared to current designs. Surface textures and features on …

Enceladus Sample Return Mission, Braxton Brakefield, Rekesh Ali, Andrew Bishop, Shelby Honaker, David Taylor

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Investigating Analytical And Numerical Methods To Predict Satellite Orbits Using Two-Line Element Sets, Adam T. Rich

Theses and Dissertations

As Low Earth Orbit (LEO) contains an ever-increasing number of objects, the prediction of future object positions must be precise in order to avoid collisions. Object positions are distributed in two-line element (TLE) sets and are generated using the analytical propagator known as Simplified General Perturbations 4 (SGP4). However, a numerical integrator called Special Perturbations (SP) provides an alternative approach to TLE generation and propagation. In this thesis, TLE accuracy was determined with both models, and the length of time that a single element set can provide valid information was also established. With two-line element sets as data, comparisons were …

Formation Flight Of Earth Satellites On Kam Torus Using Classical Orbital Elements, Marissa C. Reabe

Theses and Dissertations

This research uses the KAM theory that has been refined by Wiesel to show that Earth-satellites dynamics can be represented by an integrable Hamiltonian system with a small perturbation, like Earths geopotential. The satellite will follow a torus in phase space and remain on that KAM torus for all time unless acted on by a non-conservative force. A torus frequency was calculated, in this research, using a truth model in System Tool Kit (STK) and the High Precision Orbit Propagator (HPOP) to develop an accurate ephemeris file listing the Classical Orbital Elements (COEs). The frequencies found from the truth model …

An Analysis Of Radio-Frequency Geolocation Techniques For Satellite Systems Design, Daniel R. Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

This research 1) evaluates the effectiveness of CubeSat radio-frequency geolocation and 2) analyzes the sensitivity of different RF algorithms to system parameters. A MATLAB simulation is developed to assess geolocation accuracy for variable system designs and techniques (AOA, TDOA, T/FDOA). An unconstrained maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) and three different digital elevation models (DEM) are utilized as the surface of the Earth constraint to improve geolocation accuracy. The results presented show the effectiveness of the MLE and DEM techniques, the sensitivity of AOA, TDOA, and T/FDOA algorithms, and the system level performance of a CubeSat geolocation cluster in a 500km circular …

The Collisional Evolution Of Orbital Debris In Geopotential Wells And Disposal Orbits, Benjamin Polzine

Master's Theses

This thesis investigates the orbital debris evolution in the geosynchronous disposal orbit regime and within geosynchronous orbits effected by the geopotential wells. A propagator is developed for the accurate simulation of GEO specific orbits and the required perturbations are determined and described. Collisions are then simulated in the selected regimes using a low velocity breakup model derived from the NASA EVOLVE breakup model. The simulations described in this thesis consider a set of perturbations including the geopotential, solar and lunar gravity, and solar radiation pressure forces. This thesis is based on a prior paper and additionally seeks to address an …

Orbital Determination Feasibility Of Leo Nanosatellites Using Small Aperture Telescopes, Michael R. Strange

Master's Theses

This thesis is directed toward the feasibility of observing satellites on the nano scale and determining an accurate propagated orbit using a Meade LX600-ACF 14” diameter aperture telescope currently located on the California Polytechnic State University campus. The optical telescope is fitted with an f/6.3 focal reducer, SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera and Optec TCF-S Focuser. This instrumentation allowed for a 22’ X 15’ arcminute FOV in order to accurately image passing LEO satellites. Through the use of the Double-r and Gauss Initial Orbit Determination methods as well as Least Squared Differential Correction and Extended Kalman Filter Orbit Determination methods, an …

Influential Women In Flight - Introduction, Becca Stegmann

Women in STEM

For this assignment, I created a collection of trading cards that provide biographies and important information about influential minority women in flight. The front of each card has basic demographic information, including each person’s name, birth date, hometown, and what they are known for. The back of each card has a slightly longer explanation of each person, followed by something they are quoted with saying and some key facts about their lives. The cards can be printed out in color and laminated for longevity if desired.

Women In Engineering, Arianna Frisina

Women in STEM

The timeline consists of significant events of women in engineering. The years range from 1939 to 1974 and contains information from Hidden Figures and a peer-reviewed article that was found on JSTOR. The timeline shows the years that the women (Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Christine Darden, and Mary Jackson) began working for NACA. It also includes the time Christine Darden discovered her passion for math, when Kitty O’Brien Joyner sued the University of Virginia, the year of the Civil Rights Act, when Katherine Johnson was able to attend the editorial meetings, and Mary Jackson enrolling in engineering classes. The year …

Influential Women In Flight - Trading Cards, Becca Stegmann

Women in STEM

For this assignment, I created a collection of trading cards that provide biographies and important information about influential minority women in flight. The front of each card has basic demographic information, including each person’s name, birth date, hometown, and what they are known for. The back of each card has a slightly longer explanation of each person, followed by something they are quoted with saying and some key facts about their lives. The cards can be printed out in color and laminated for longevity if desired.

Space Race - Introduction, Jesse Lackey

Cold War & Space Race

The infographic linked below is a timeline of events in 20^th-century America related to the Cold War, the Space Race, and the Civil Rights Movement. The timeline is designed to put the events in Hidden Figures into historical context. The timeline chronologically compares groundbreaking historical events such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the creation of NASA alongside the historical presence of the three women, Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, and Mary Jackson, that the reading is focused around. The book hops around from year to year and is very difficult to follow chronologically. That is part …