950 research outputs found
Stratospheric Satellites in Thorpex
This presentation was part of the session : Short CoursesSixth International Planetary Probe WorkshopStratospheric Satellites in Thorpe
Solar Airplane Conceptual Design and Performance Estimation: What Size to Choose and What Endurance to Expect
Solar airplanes exhibit a fascination due to their energy sustainability aspect and the potential for sustained flight lasting several day-night cycles. Resulting monitoring and measurement applications at high altitudes but also close to the Earth surface would be extremely useful and are targeted by several research groups and institutions. The question of how to choose the main design parameters of the airplane for a specific mission, considering the current state-of-the-art technologies involved, however, is not easy to answer. A tool is presented performing such a multi-disciplinary optimization. Solar airplanes using both batteries as energy storage devices as well as their capability of flying performance-optimizing altitude profiles can be sized and evaluated in terms of various performance measures. Simulation results show that sustained flight in the Stratosphere is hard to achieve, if the altitude needs to be kept constant. A simulated Remote Control (RC) model size solar airplane allowed to vary altitude proves to be capable of flying multiple day-night cycles at medium and high latitudes during summe
SKY-SAILOR Design of an autonomous solar powered martian airplane
For more than two decades, Mars has been of great interest for scientific exploration, using orbiting spacecrafts or landers. Orbiters like Mars Express cover large areas and give images of the surface with a resolution limited to several meters. Rovers missions, like Pathfinder or MER, offer the ability to maneuver to scientifically interesting sites, perform analysis of soil and rock composition, but are limited in range to the immediate surroundings of the landing site. There is a strategic gap for systems that would combine high-resolution imagery and extensive coverage. This gap can be addressed by micro-airplanes that will give more accurate images than satellites, thanks to their proximity to the ground (about 0.5 to 2 km) and cover much larger areas than rovers without being limited by terrain roughness. This paper presents a feasibility study and the first design of a very lightweight solar powered airplane for Mars exploration. Called Sky-Sailor, it was investigated in an ESA definition study within the framework of the Startiger technology program
NASA Capability Roadmaps Executive Summary
This document is the result of eight months of hard work and dedication from NASA, industry, other government agencies, and academic experts from across the nation. It provides a summary of the capabilities necessary to execute the Vision for Space Exploration and the key architecture decisions that drive the direction for those capabilities. This report is being provided to the Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) team for consideration in development of an architecture approach and investment strategy to support NASA future mission, programs and budget requests. In addition, it will be an excellent reference for NASA's strategic planning. A more detailed set of roadmaps at the technology and sub-capability levels are available on CD. These detailed products include key driving assumptions, capability maturation assessments, and technology and capability development roadmaps
The SIMPSONS project: An integrated Mars transportation system
In response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for an integrated transportation system network for an advanced Martian base, Frontier Transportation Systems (FTS) presents the results of the SIMPSONS project (Systems Integration for Mars Planetary Surface Operations Networks). The following topics are included: the project background, vehicle design, future work, conclusions, management status, and cost breakdown. The project focuses solely on the surface-to-surface transportation at an advanced Martian base
Airframe assembly, systems integration and flight testing of a long endurance electric UAV
The need to adopt new techniques and practices in the Aerospace Industry branch is a
consequence of technological development. The present work aims to study the use of solar
power as a main energy source in the aviation, in this case for a flight of long endurance of an
unmanned air vehicle. This master thesis follows on previous works of the LEEUAV, where it
was done the design and construction of a long endurance unmanned aerial system. Thus, the
main objective of this work is the systems integration, flight testing and concepts validation.
LEEUAV, a prototype of 4.5 meters’ wingspan and ultralight structure partially covered
by solar cells was designed to fulfil a continuous flight mission of at least 8 hours on the equinox.
The 5.42Kg remotely piloted aircraft was successfully tested showing the agreement with
theoretical calculations already made. The longest flight achieved lasted more than 8.5 hours’
resulting in a total distance travelled of more than 75 km.
In order to validate the airworthiness concept of the LEEUAV several flight tests were
performed and their respective data (static and total pressure, air temperature, ground speed
and pitch angle) was collected for further analysis, using a flight controller with multiple
sensors on board. The results obtained allowed to study the general performance of the
aircraft, the main defects, agreement with the theoretical results as well as determine the real
values of aerodynamic coefficients (????, ????), through a reading and processing flight data
algorithm in Software MATLAB.
Finally, some future expectations for upcoming work are suggested in order to make
the LEEUAV an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle of reference.A necessidade de adoção de novas técnicas e práticas no ramo da Indústria Aeronáutica
é uma consequência do desenvolvimento tecnológico. O presente trabalho aborda o uso de
energia solar como principal fonte de energia na aviação, com enfoque num voo de grande
autonomia de uma aeronave não tripulada. Esta tese de mestrado surge na sequência de
trabalhos anteriores relativos ao LEEUAV, nos quais se efetuou o projeto e construção de uma
aeronave não tripulada de grande autonomia. Assim, o principal objetivo deste trabalho é a
integração de sistemas, testes de voo e validação de conceitos.
O UAV Solar LEEUAV é um protótipo de 4.5 metros de envergadura e de estrutura
ultraleve parcialmente coberto de células fotovoltaicas sendo projetado para cumprir uma
missão de voo contÃnuo de pelo menos 8h no equinócio. O avião de 5.42kg foi testado com
sucesso mostrando a concordância com os cálculos teóricos já elaborados. O voo mais longo
conseguido foi de 3.13 horas correspondendo a uma distância total percorrida de 96.265 km.
De modo a validar o conceito de aeronavegabilidade do LEEUAV foram efetuados vários
voos de teste e recolhidos dados de voo (pressão estática e dinâmica, temperatura do ar,
velocidade no solo e ângulo de arfagem) para posterior análise, utilizando um controlador de
voo com múltiplos sensores a bordo. A análise dos resultados obtidos permitiu precisar o
desempenho geral da aeronave, os principais defeitos, concordância com os resultados teóricos
assim como determinar os valores reais dos coeficientes aerodinâmicos (???? , ????) através de um
algoritmo de leitura e processamento de dados de voo, em Software MATLAB.
Por fim, são referidas algumas sugestões para o desenvolvimento de novos trabalhos com
o objetivo de tornar O LEEUAV num veÃculo aéreo não tripulado de referência
Armstrong Research, Technology, and Engineering Accomplishments 2014
No abstract availabl
Aeronautical technology 2000: A projection of advanced vehicle concepts
The Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board (ASEB) of the National Research Council conducted a Workshop on Aeronautical Technology: a Projection to the Year 2000 (Aerotech 2000 Workshop). The panels were asked to project advances in aeronautical technologies that could be available by the year 2000. As the workshop was drawing to a close, it became evident that a more comprehensive investigation of advanced air vehicle concepts than was possible in the limited time available at the workshop would be valuable. Thus, a special panel on vehicle applications was organized. In the course of two meetings, the panel identified and described representative types of aircraft judged possible with the workshop's technology projections. These representative aircraft types include: military aircraft; transport aircraft; rotorcraft; extremely high altitude aircraft; and transatmospheric aircraft. Improvements in performance, efficiency, and operational characteristics possible through the application of the workshop's year 2000 technology projections were discussed. The subgroups also identified the technologies considered essential and enhancing or supporting to achieve the projected aircraft improvements
Mars Rotorcraft: Possibilities, Limitations, and Implications For Human/Robotic Exploration
Several research investigations have examined the challenges and opportunities in the use of small robotic rotorcraft for the exploration of Mars. To date, only vehicles smaller than 150 kg have been studied. This paper proposes to examine the question of maximum Mars rotorcraft size, range, and payload/cargo capacity. Implications for the issue of whether or not (from an extreme design standpoint) a manned Mars rotorcraft is viable are also discussed
Armstrong Flight Research Center Research Technology and Engineering 2017
I am delighted to present this report of accomplishments at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center. Our dedicated innovators possess a wealth of performance, safety, and technical capabilities spanning a wide variety of research areas involving aircraft, electronic sensors, instrumentation, environmental and earth science, celestial observations, and much more. They not only perform tasks necessary to safely and successfully accomplish Armstrong's flight research and test missions but also support NASA missions across the entire Agency. Armstrong's project teams have successfully accomplished many of the nation's most complex flight research projects by crafting creative solutions that advance emerging technologies from concept development and experimental formulation to final testing. We are developing and refining technologies for ultra-efficient aircraft, electric propulsion vehicles, a low boom flight demonstrator, air launch systems, and experimental x-planes, to name a few. Additionally, with our unique location and airborne research laboratories, we are testing and validating new research concepts. Summaries of each project highlighting key results and benefits of the effort are provided in the following pages. Technology areas for the projects include electric propulsion, vehicle efficiency, supersonics, space and hypersonics, autonomous systems, flight and ground experimental test technologies, and much more. Additional technical information is available in the appendix, as well as contact information for the Principal Investigator of each project. I am proud of the work we do here at Armstrong and am pleased to share these details with you. We welcome opportunities for partnership and collaboration, so please contact us to learn more about these cutting-edge innovations and how they might align with your needs
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