Proposed input for determining longitudinal aerodynamic parameters for the space shuttle

A control input form to improve the identification of longitudinal aerodynamic parameters for the Space Shuttle, especially at low Mach numbers, has been proposed. This input combines features of several inputs currently used with the Shuttle to improve the response in angle-of-attack without exceeding pitch rate limits. The responses of the proposed input were generated using a simple three-degree-of-freedom simulation. An examination of the power spectral densities of these responses showed them to have more power near the vehicle natural frequency than doublet inputs previously used with the Shuttle. When the responses to the proposed input were corrupted with noise and processed using a maximum likelihood parameter extraction program, the identifiability of the parameters was improved over the identifiability of the same parameters using actual Shuttle responses from doublet input of a similar magnitude. This preliminary study indicates that the proposed input form should result in improved identifiability of longitudinal static and control parameters for the Shuttle vehicle

Evaluation of a nonlinear parameter extraction mathematical model including the term C(subm(sub delta e squared))

Shuttle flight test data were used to determine values for the short-period parameters. The best identified, as judged by its estimated standard deviation, was the elevon effectiveness parameter C (sub m (sub sigma e squared)). However, the scatter about the preflight prediction of C (sub m (sub sigma e squared)) was large. Other investigators have suggested that adding nonlinear terms to the mathematical model used to identify C (sub m (sub sigma e)) could reduce the scatter. The results of this investigation show that C (sub m (sub sigma e squared)) is the only identifiable nonlinear parameter applicable and that the changes in C (sub m (sub sigma e)) values when C (sub m (sub sigma e squared)) is included are in the order of ten percent for the data estimated

Summary of longitudinal stability and control parameters as determined from space shuttle Columbia flight test data

Extensive wind tunnel tests were conducted to establish the preflight aerodynamics of the Shuttle vehicle. This paper presents the longitudinal, short-period aerodynamics of the space shuttle Columbia as determined from flight test data. These flight-determined results are compared with the preflight predictions, and areas of agreement or disagreement are noted. In addition to the short-period aerodynamics, the pitch RCS effectiveness was determined

Lateral and longitudinal aerodynamic stability and control parameters of the basic vortex flap research aircraft as determined from flight test data

The aerodynamics of the basic F-106B were determined at selected points in the flight envelope. The test aircraft and flight procedures were presented. Aircraft instrumentation and the data system were discussed. The parameter extraction procedure was presented along with a discussion of the test flight results. The results were used to predict the aircraft motions for maneuvers that were not used to determine the vehicle aerodynamics. The control inputs used to maneuver the aircraft to get data for the determination of the aerodynamic parameters were discussed in the flight test procedures. The results from the current flight tests were compared with the results from wind tunnel test of the basic F-106B

Effect of Transition Aerodynamics on Aeroassist Flight Experiment Trajectories

Various transition methods are used here to study the viscous effects encountered in low density, hypersonic flight, through the transition from free molecular to continuum flow. Methods utilizing Viking data, Shuttle Orbiter data, a Potter number parameter, and a Shock Reynolds number were implemented in the Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories (POST). Simulations of the Aeroassist Flight Experiment (AFE) using open loop guidance were used to assess the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. A bank angle was found for each transition method that would result in a 200 nautical-mile apogee. Once this was done, the open loop guidance was replaced by the proposed guidance algorithm for the AFE. Simulations were again conducted using that guidance and the different transitions for comparison. For the gains used, the guidance system showed some sensitivity in apogee altitude to the transition method assumed, but the guidance was able to successfully complete the mission

Aerobraking characteristics for several potential manned Mars entry vehicles

While a reduction in weight is always desirable for any space vehicle, it is crucial for vehicles to be used in the proposed Manned Mars Mission (MMM). One such way to reduce a spacecraft's weight is through aeroassist braking which is an alternative to retro-rockets, the traditional method of slowing a craft approaching from a high energy orbit. In this paper aeroassist braking was examined for two blunt vehicle configurations and one streamlined configuration. For each vehicle type, a range of lift-to-drag ratios was examined and the entry angle windows, bank profiles, and trajectory parameters were recorded here. In addition, the sensitivities of velocity and acceleration with respect to the entry angle and bank angles were included. Also, the effect of using different atmosphere models was tested by incorporating several models into the simulation program

Antibiotic Resistance: Proposals to Deal with the New Wrinkles on an Old Problem

Resistance to antibiotics is hardly a new problem; ever since the advent of penicillin and other antibiotics more than 50 years ago defiant strains of bacteria have emerged. The harrowing aspect is that now almost every human pathogen treated with antibiotics is showing resistance, and many doctors fear that this will only be the tip of the iceberg. After all, every time any antibiotic is used, while it may kill the majority of the bacteria the drug was intended to destroy, there is a likelihood that a few germs will remain, surviving because of their resistant traits or their ability to mutate and become resistant to antibiotics. Once created, these resistant genes can multiply quickly, creating new strains of bacteria that could result in the patient's next infection failing to respond to the previously administered antibiotic. In fact, bacteria can reproduce about every twenty minutes, meaning resistance is quickly spread, and the resistant strand eventually becomes the dominant strand of that species

Lateral static and dynamic aerodynamic parameters of the Kestrel aircraft (XV-6A) extracted from flight data

Flight test data have been used to extract the lateral static and dynamic aerodynamic parameters of the Kestrel aircraft. The aircraft configurations included thrust-jet angles of 0 deg, 15 deg, and 30 deg, and the test Mach numbers were 0.43, 0.62, and 0.82. The results showed that most of the parameters varied linearly with trim normal-force coefficient. The directional stability parameter showed a small increase with increasing trim normal-force coefficient and also with nozzle deflection. The effective-dihedral parameter, the damping-in-roll parameter, and damping-in-yaw parameter all increased (became more negative) with increasing trim normal-force coefficient. For the latter three parameters, the effect of nozzle deflection was dependent on the trim normal-force coefficient

Extraction from flight data of lateral aerodynamic coefficients for F-8 aircraft with supercritical wing

A parameter-extraction algorithm was used to determine the lateral aerodynamic derivatives from flight data for the F-8 aircraft with supercritical wing. The flight data used were the recorded responses to aileron or rudder pulses for Mach numbers of 0.80, 0.90, and 0.98. Results of this study showed that a set of derivatives were determined which yielded a calculated aircraft response almost identical with the response measured in flight. Derivatives extracted from motion resulting from rudder inputs were somewhat different from those resulting from aileron inputs. It was found that the derivatives obtained from the rudder-input data were highly correlated in some instances. Those from the aileron input had very low correlations and appeared to be the more reliable