Rotating space station simulator Patent

Artificial gravity system for simulating self-locomotion capability of astronauts in rotating environment

Development of a nonlinear switching function and its application to static lift characteristics of straight wings

A mathematical modeling technique was developed for the lift characteristics of straight wings throughout a very wide angle of attack range. The technique employs a mathematical switching function that facilitates the representation of the nonlinear aerodynamic characteristics in the partially and fully stalled regions and permits matching empirical data within + or - 4 percent of maximum values. Although specifically developed for use in modeling the lift characteristics, the technique appears to have other applications in both aerodynamic and nonaerodynamic fields

Reduced gravity simulator Patent

Cable suspension and inclined walkway system for simulating reduced or zero gravity environment

Exploratory tests of a simple aero-mechanical ride comfort system for lightly loaded aircraft

Some exploratory wind tunnel and radio-controlled free-flight tests were made with a small high-wing airplane model (1.23m wing span) to study the concept of a simple aero mechanical system intended to alleviate gust loads and improve ride comfort of lightly loaded aircraft. The system consisted essentially of the outer portions of each wing being hinged in the chordwise direction and connected directly to the wing flaps using internal counter weights to provide neutral mass balance. When the wing experienced a change in velocity or angle of attack, the movable wing panels, acting as sensors and flap actuators, deflected in response to the changes in lift on the wing. The corresponding movements of the interconnected flaps tended to reduce the changes in the wing lift

Recombination lifetimes in gamma-irradiated P-type float zone silicon

Electron decay rate and absorption cross sections for electron holes and recombination in gamma irradiated n-type silico

The foot-controlled maneuvering unit: Summary report on Skylab experiment T-020

Skylab experiment T-020 was conducted to study the maneuvering capabilities of astronauts using a relatively simple experimental self-locomotive device, referred to as the foot-controlled maneuvering unit, and to evaluate the effectiveness of ground-based facilities simulating the operation of this device in weightless conditions of space. The final results as presented of this experiment which includes comparison of the tests performed during missions SL-3 and SL-4 of the Skylab with those performed on the simulators. Some of the results of this experiment and those of Skylab experiment M509, which employed an experimental hard-controlled maneuvering unit, are discussed in terms of the development of a possible future operational maneuvering system

Premission and postmission simulation studies of the foot-controlled maneuvering unit for Skylab experiment T-020

A Skylab experiment was conducted to study the maneuvering capabilities of astronauts using a relatively simple self-locomotive device, referred to as the foot-controlled maneuvering unit, and to evaluate the effectiveness of ground-based facilities simulating the operation of this device in weightless conditions of space. Some of the special considerations given in the definition and development of the experiment as related to the two ground-based simulators are reviewed. These simulators were used to train the test subjects and to obtain baseline data which could be used for comparison with the in-flight tests that were performed inside the Skylab orbital workshop. The results of both premission and postmission tests are discussed, and subjective comparisons of the in-flight and ground-based test conditions are presented

Gust alleviation system to improve ride comfort of light airplanes

System consists of movable auxiliary aerodynamic sensors mounted on fuselage and connected to trailing-edge flaps by rigid mechanical linkages. System achieves alleviation by reducing lift-curve slope of airplane to such a small value that gust-induced angles of attack will result in small changes in lift

Low power, compact charge coupled device signal processing system

A variety of charged coupled devices (CCDs) for performing programmable correlation for preprocessing environmental sensor data preparatory to its transmission to the ground were developed. A total of two separate ICs were developed and a third was evaluated. The first IC was a CCD chirp z transform IC capable of performing a 32 point DFT at frequencies to 1 MHz. All on chip circuitry operated as designed with the exception of the limited dynamic range caused by a fixed pattern noise due to interactions between the digital and analog circuits. The second IC developed was a 64 stage CCD analog/analog correlator for performing time domain correlation. Multiplier errors were found to be less than 1 percent at designed signal levels and less than 0.3 percent at the measured smaller levels. A prototype IC for performing time domain correlation was also evaluated

Technique simulates effect of reduced gravity

To simulate the effects of lunar gravity, an arrangement of near-vertical cables has been devised. These suspend the test subject perpendicular to an inclined walkway to give the effect of reduced gravitational pull