The topics covered include the following: a test of a Space Shuttle model with various base enhancements intended to help reduce the drag of the Shuttle in the landing configuration; further tests conducted using a Shuttle model to explore base drag improvement techniques; testing of parafoils having different airfoil shapes and line lengths; a study of ground effects on a Shuttle model; and three dimensional velocity profiles in the wake aft of the Space Shuttle were determined to study the effects of wake velocities on the Orbiter drag chute

Nicks, Oran W.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

NASA CR-188273
WIND _L TESTING AND RESEARCH
NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER CONTRACT NO NAS 9-18261
January 25, 1990 -March 12, 1993
Oran W. Nicks
Research Engineer
November 15, 1993
(NASA-CR-188273) WIND TUNNEL
TESTING AND RESEARCH Final Report,
25 Jan. 1990 - 12 M_r. 1993 (Texas
A_M Univ.) 21 p
N94-29052
Unclas
0002849
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19940024549 2020-06-16T15:18:41+00:00Z
"Wind Tunnel Testing and Research"
NASA Johnson Space Center Contract No. NAS 9-18261
Introduction
In accord with the contract requirements, this is the final report for the subject
contract effort. Included are summary data covering the tasks, a brief synopsis of results
and a summary report on the labor, facility, and materials.
Each task was formalized and agreed to after a proposal task description was
submitted by the contractor to the Contracting Office Technical representative at JSC.
Task descriptions as officially approved are included as Attachment No. 1 to this report.
Each task description contains the nature of the task and estimates of man-hours, facility
hours, facility modifications, and material costs. As each test was being performed,
technical data and experimental results were provided directly to NASA representatives.
At the completion of each task, test reports in the contractor standard format were
provided giving the test results and analyses. Under separate cover, an accounting of the
actual materials, man-hours, computer facility hours expended along with a billing for
each task effort was submitted to NASA from the Texas Engineering Experiment Station
Business Office. For reference, copies of the title pages of the technical reports are
included as Attachment No. 2.
Brief Synopsis of Results
Task Order No. 1 (2-2-90): Task 1 was a test of a Space Shuttle model with
various base enhancements intended to help reduce the drag of the Shuttle in the landing
configuration. Forty hours of testing provided force and moment data which were
reduced to coefficient form for use in engineering analyses. Wake survey data were also
obtained to determine velocity components and flow angles.
TaskOrderNo. 2 (6-28-90): Further tests were conducted using a Shuttle model
to explore base drag improvement techniques. In addition to providing test results,
engineering analyses were performed showing the effects of base drag enhancement
devices.
Task Order No. 3 (2-3-92): This task involved the testing of parafoils having
different airfoil shapes and line lengths. Six component forces and moments, control line
loads, and pressure measurements were made. In addition, flow field studies were
conducted. Performance data on the parafoils were reduced to coefficient form. High
speed photographs were provided to enable the consideration of dynamic motions under
various conditions.
Task Order No. 4 (8-12-92) Task 4 involved a study of ground effects on a
Shuttle model. The purpose of the test was to obtain force and moment data useful for
determining the change in performance, stability and control near the ground on landing.
In addition to obtaining the wind tunnel test data, engineering analyses were performed
and documented by an Honors student.
Task Order No. 5 (2-3-93): Three dimensional velocity profiles in the wake aft of
the Space Shuttle were determined to study the effects of wake velocities on the Orbiter
drag chute. These data were primarily useful in supporting a computer simulation of the
opening and stable position of the Orbiter drag chute. Data were provided in tabular and
graphical form. Video tapes were provided to show the dynamic behavior of drag chutes.
Summary of Labor and Facility Hours. Material and Costs
Attachment No. 3 includes a summary table showing all the labor and facility
hours and costs for each task.
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
TASK DESCRIPTIONS
..__:.__,
TASK Order
CON'I1_CT NUIv_ER _ NAB
ORDER_ER -1 .
DA'f'E02- 0Z- _U
9-18261
Rcquinsme,ntsforwind{onn¢IrJflng byNASA4SC atlh¢Tex_ A&M UrtlversiCyLow Spe
wi !Tu H.
t
DES_'R[PT[ON OF WORK:
Shuttle]:'hastIIBz.scF_.ahance.mentstestusingd/ffere_tb¢_ plateconflgutlti0n.s,
The _t w_l be conductedusinga 4.05% Kale modelfurnished by NASA4$C, themodel
have _,adable¢]¢von¢¢[dnst,¢lxP._rakcs lindbodyflapsto matchtic rc,quJ_ condition. The _d
wL[I_pplytheappropHalcsaulmounts,Mrdwue, anddatascquisifionCClulpm¢otn ce.ssaryforthe
I
FACI_LITYHOURS P,,_QUIP_D:
tom (t_'c ra_ $2_.) for set up_d dismandc.ment $9600.00
of th_ test and testing of the hue plates.
DH_CT LABOR HOURS:
None
FAC_I,ITYMODIFICATIONS:
Non_
t
TRAVFJ.,:
2- Ida),nips
TASk ORDER TOTAL COST:
Total task hou_ / pd_
PERPORMANCE $CKEDULE:
40 t_sJ 9.7_0X)0
]lli ;
I
T_s is sch_l_ February 5 through February 9, !990 I
Tssk rtpon April 9, 1990
DA'_A REQ_:
Fot¢_ndMomcat m¢,ILsutcme,n_ redoc,d tococfl3cle,ntformwith $_hud windtunnel e._w dons.
Surface_ me,csu_rnentsr_ducedtoccefl'ic_cnlform.
'_ All data wlU be prcseated In d|gital format is Indicated in the taskdescription by the NASA _.tim_eTechnicalM_r_gcr/_uppor_sudt".Grsphlcalprcs,_nta_o.nwill Ix, pcrfoffne4_ requLcddudng the tcsi
andksrequ_.s_ by d¢ Technical M_.nagcr/zupp<_sod1".
i Wake suty_y,,dam ted uccd to velocity componc.ntsand flow angl_s.
!
NOJFE: Am>,T_k Order which hcsnoLbccnsignedby {PcConmzcdngO_ccr i_ _nJJlr,X_ ta.skord_x.
'---ise_coumg_!w zzpoRand sendany RI¢_a]taskorderto zhcConuac6ngOfficer. U inswad _h6Con1radzo_
pea'f_rmon the.b'L_b;of an lllcgat task or4u. h¢ does $o at his own risk. i
" I
%, ..
TASK ORDER
CONTRACT NUMBER _NAS 9.- 182_61
ORDER NUMBER 2
Low SI:
DESCR
In addit
and bas_
model f
strut mc
FAC_
64 horn s (basic rate $240/hr.)
LA ORhOURS:
PrinciplIInvestigator 115 hrs.@ $41.0/hr.
Graduate Student $ months @ $900.0/m
Fringe 13enefits: P.I. 26% of $ 4,715.00
Student 15% of $ 7,200.00
FACIIL TY MODIFICATIONS:
Suppli,s and materialsfordragreducing devices
Mach_ ing and Modifications
TRAV _:
2 nips to JSC @ $100.00/u-lp
PUBL'.'.CATION OOST:
Bounc test reports
INDI; ECT COST:
43% o [totaldirectcostslessfacilityhours cost
TASI_ ORDER TOTAL COST:
Total _k price
DA'r__
I
tcqukements forwind tunneltestingby NASA-JSC attheTexas A&M University
Wind Tunnel.
[FrION OF WORK:
3asedragreductionofspare shuttleorbitex. .
['hetestswillbe conducted usinga 4.05% scalemodel furnishedby NASA. JS(_.
on tothevortexgene_tors,threedifferentgeometriesof V-channels,splitterplates
_.plateswithcavitieswillbe builtand attachedtothebaseregionof the orbitsr
)ra posslblebasedrag reduction.The wind tunnelwillprovide the appropriate
unts,hardware and dam acquisitionequipment necessaryforthe test.
HOURS
$15,360.00 :
$ 4,715.00
$ 7,200.00 !"_
S 1,226.00
$ 1,080.00
$ 1,000.00
$ 2,O0O.OO
$ 200.00
$ 500.00
$ 7,706.00
$ 40,987.00 i
t _l I 53
. /
c
,:k,"'
ei
e
PERFO_AJ';CE S(_-tEDULE:
_'o_ is scheduled tO bcgln in August 1990. Aftcr complcfion of thc drag
zcducin dcviccs_ _c low speed wind _nn¢l tests will bc conducte, d for flow visualization
pu_ I i.o_. _0 _ _o,o_,p_o,o_ph_, _ _.,_ fo,po_,blof,,_o,tions.High speed testswillbc conduct_ followmg the low spce,,dtests,
Pr¢limirary task_'portwillbc availableinlateDcccmbex. The finalreportwillbc available
in Ma 1991.
DATA _EQ_:
|. Forr_c end Moments measurements reduced to coefficient form with standard
wind tunnelcquqtions. . ......
2.Base pressuredistributionforcatchbase modificationreduced tocoexncucnt
form. i
_.Flow visuallzadonphotographcs.
•_ll datawillprcscn!cdIndigitalformat.Graphicalmodificationwillbe performed
as_q_ durin_thetestim_.
Tcchni_r_lMahan's"
dJ _,/ :
Go._' i _., ._o_cs ji_"
NOTE:
or&r.
Officex
at his 0
Any TaSk Order which has not bccn signedby theCo..ntractingOf.ricerisan
rhc Contractorisencouraged toreportand send any illegaltaskordertothe Cont_a(
IfinsteadtheContractorchooses toperform on thebasisof an illegaltaskor&r, i
_n risk.
_sk
$O
70:_c_ Z2ff
TASK Order
CONTRACT NUMBER NAS9-18261
ORDER NUMBER 3
DATE __2-3-92__
Requirements for wind tunnel testing by NASA-JSC at the Texas A&M University Low Speed Wind
Tunnel.
DESCR.IIrFION OF WORK:
Sub-scale parboil wind tunnel testing to determine six-component aerodynamics, control line loads,
flowfield studies, and pressure measurements internal and on the surface of the p_afoil.
The testing will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will be used to cheek the mounting and
hardware with one parafoil. Phase II will use the same setup and study two different p_afoik with different airfoil
shapes and line lengths. High speed photography will be used during Phase H and will be provided by NASA-JSC.
The wind tunnel will provide the requited mounting h_dwarc and data acquisition equipment neeess_'y for the test.
FACILITY HOURS REQUIRED:
24 hours (basic rate S2?0/H,.) for _,et-up. testing and dismantlement
of the lest model and mounting hardware.
40 hours (lntema] balance test $3]0/Hr)
$6,4g0.00
12,400.00
DIRECT LABOR HOURS:
30 hours - Engineering Technician - Mounting fabrication "750.00
40 hours - Co-op and Part-time student - Mounting Design 240.00
Total Direct Labor Cost 990.00
FACIIATY MOD[F] CATIONS:
Materials 400.00
TRAVEL:
None
TASK ORDER TOTAL COST:
Total task hours/price 134 bourse20,270.00
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Mounting and hardware modification to be completed by March 9, 1992.
Phase 1 scheduled: March 9-11, 1992 and Phase I1 April 6-10, 1992.
Task re.tort June 10, 1992.
DATA REQUIREMENTS:
Force and moment measurements reduce, d to coefficient form with standard wind tunnel equations. Surface
pre._sure measurements reduced to coefficient form. Control line loads measured and presented in pounds.
All data will be presented in digital format as indicated in the task description by the NASA-JSC
Technical Manager/support staff. Graphical presentation will be performed as required during the test time as
requested by the Technical Manager/suppon staff.
II " ¢'-*
C]"/_'"
technical Manager I _/_on_acling Officer -
NOTE: Any Task Order which has not been signed by theContracting Officer is an i]]g.gl] task order. The Contractor is
encouraged to report and send any illegal task order to the Contracting Officer. If instead the Contractor chooses to perform
on the basi_ an illegal task order, he does so at his own risk.
APP . "
/½Kssistmlt De2_,,t'y Chancellor
Texas I.J_riment Station
U.S. Gov'l
TASK Order
CONTRACT NUMBER _NAS9-18261
ORDER NUMBER __3A
DATE 4.1-92
Requirements for wind tunnel testing by NASA-JSC at the Texas A&M University Low Speed Wind
Tunnel. This is an amendment to Task Order 3/or additional costs incurred above the original estimate.
DESCRIIrI'ION OF WORK:
Same as Task Order 3.
FACILITY HOURS REQUIRED:
Sanle a.,_Task Order 3.
DIRECF LABOR HOURS:
15 hours . Engineering Technician - Mounting fabrication 375.00 "
Total Additional Direct Labor Cost 375.00
S:,mtt as Taxk Order 3.
g co om0_ ..
NOTE: AsD'Task Order which has nol boe_the ContractingOfficerisan _ taskorder.The Conl_actoris
encouraged to report and send any illegal task order to the Contracting Officer. If instead the Contractor chooses to perform
tm the Imsis of an illegal task order, he does so at his own risk. This Task Order authorizes the contractor to expend costs up
to the c.st limitations stated above. Any resources spem above and beyond the limitations are at the contractors own risk.
APPROVED:
__ Carol J. CantreI1
_'_ _sistant Deputy Chancellor
xas Engineering Ex])eriment Station
DATA REQUIREMENTS:
FACILITY MODIFICATIONS:
Malerials 760.00
TRAVEL: ."
None
TASK ORDER "_TAL COST:
Total task hours/price 15 hom's/Sl.135.00
NOTE: These charges n,-e over and above those included in Task Order 3 ($20.270.00)
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Samc as Task Order 3.
.IJ.S, _ ,r "1
TASK Ord=
CONTRACT NUMB ER NAS9-18261
ORDER NUMBER 4
DATE August 12. 1992
Requirements for wind tunnel testing by NASA-JSC at die Texas A&M University Low Speed Wind
Tunnel.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
Ground effect studies on the Shuttle using the wtriable height strut set-up. The project will be conducted
in two phases. During the first phase, wind tunnel tests will be performed to acquire the necessary data to compare
with flight data. During the second phase, the data will reduced, analyzed, and documented in a comprehensive
report.
FACILITY HOURS REQUIRED:
40 hours (basic rate $2?0/Hr.) for set-up, testing, and dismandement
of the test model and mounting hardware.
DIRECT LABOR HOURS:
300 hours - Student worker
300 hours - Co-up/part time student - design/support
Fringe Benefits (15% of S3636.00)
Indirect Cost (45% of $4181.O0)
FACILITY MODIFICATIONS:
F.,quipmcnt and Malerials
TRAVEL:
None.
TASK ORDER TOTAL COST:
Total Ta._k Hours/'Price
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
TotalDirect l.._bor Cost
1818.00
1818.00
545.00
1882.00
$10.800.00
6,063.00
1,000.00
640 hours/$17,863.00
Phase 1 - Model preparation and testing September 1, 1992 - December 31, 1992
Phase YI - Data reduction, analysis, comparison, and report - January 1, 1993 - May 31, 1993
Task Report - May 31. 1993
DATA REQUIREMENTS:
Force and moment measurments reduced to coefficient form with standard wind tunnel equations.
r which ha._not been signed by the Contracdng Officer is an _ task order. The Contractor is
encouraged tt_ report and send any illegal task order to die Contracting Officer. If instead the Contractor chooses to perform
on the basis of a.n illegal task order, he does so at his own rixk. This Task Order authorizes the contractor to ext:,end costs up
h_ the cost imitations slated above. Any resources spent above and beyond the limitations are at the contractors own risk.
_ssis_ Deputy Chancellor
_) Texas Engineering Experiment Station
*_ [00"3_Ud "IULOJ. _
U.S. Gov'l
TASK On_a
CO_RAc"r )¢LV_ER NASg-]r).6__
ORD_ NU)_mER
DATE Februerv 3. 1993
R_ fc¢wlad uma_l _ by NASA-JSC ,ttheTe.us AAM Umv_slzy Law Speed Wind
T_ma_
_ON OF W_K:
Define _e ,venmge.3-d._entim_ velocity lm'o_e of the Sp_ Shu_e Orbite_ wake air of exe exisl£ng
drag chum _ i= nominal Itndlng oonditlons, _ _tke velocity data will be used m mmpute wake ft_tan
In • com_ sim_a_on of the(3_te_ dragchum oomplerne_dn£ d_¢ wake velocitydam a_ o_xaL,_ m •
ixevkms test. The dam wm be used to _ d_¢ vixbx'lity of moving the dr_g c_xute to ltrgez _ distances.
FAC_IxrYI-DURSRF.QUqRIn_
63 hours(basicr,_ $270/H_.)forr_t-ul_ t_£ng, mKl diJznmtlcmmX
of the te_ model _d motm_g hm-dwsr¢.
_ LABOR H(X.rR_
60 botcr_- Co.op aridP_1-t=neSmden_ wc_k_ @ $6.2.S/Hr. 375.00
40 bouts- Tecbnicim_@ $II.30/I-b. 452.00
10 bot_n. _£ @ S:2._.1/I_. ,a _-.._-.o 222.00
Insmmm (40 14_ @ l._Hr & 10 l-its@ 1.61/l'lO $_.00
Fringe ]k:ne..fi_ (l_q_ of $37_.00 & 23% of $674) 211.00
I.u_cctCost (43% of $1317.00) 568.00
TotalDi_ Lalx_ Cost
FACR.ITY MODIFICATIONS:
M_c_ Engine.c_g Shop Cosls-OrbRu ¢l_on l:,m_cts
Assor_ m_a_'ialsfc¢OrbitermoRif_c_on
T_tal Facility Mcx_fica_ons
TILAVEI_
$17,010.00
1,gg3.00
S,000.00
100J)0
5.100.00
No_P.
TASK ORDER TOTAL COST:
To_ Trek Haurs/Price 173hours/$_,993.00
_CE SCHEDI.R_
l'as.seI -Model p_ February2, 1993 - Fcbr_uu'y26, ]993.
Phaserl. Installation,tcs'_, snd removal of model Ma._..h_ - I0,1993.
DATA Rr_Q_
Raw snd reduc_ flew field velodty oompon_ts willbe pr_cmcd tothe pri_iptl investig,_.o_ in tubular
_.,tl form af'u_the_¢_tis completed. A _._ reportoutl._ingtherestpm_e_h_, modle inst_on,
model _oni_gtm02on,dsm recordingand nu_c_on s-y_terns,arA dam l_CScntafion_ bc _ W thepriJtcipal
inve._g_r within60 days of testcomple_on.
Techn_ M_ "C_,.-_ Off_ '_
NOTE: Any Task Order' which has not been sig_ui by the ContractingOi'fic_ is m _ taskord_. The Comrtc_r is
encourtg¢_ to _cpo_ lind send m_y illegal rusk o_der to the Conlracfing O_ccr. If instead the Contrtcwr choose) to perform
es the basis of an Rleg_lruskord_. he does so at his own risk. Th_ Task Orderamhorizm the contra_u)r _o expend _sts tr_
to the cost limitations lvJzed above. Any _esou_c4_ spent above ar_ beyond _¢ IL_mdo_ _r¢ _ the con_'wrs own risk.
100"3EJL'Id l='_C)cJ3Ld'E:E)3,=)_c,f./)_c,_)4 t.J0<_.=-I I"I :c_l E:6. E: _3_
TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION
" Project Establishment Notice
Date: March 9, 1993 Number:. 32525-27900 AE
Project Action: Additional Time & Funds Proposal: 89-604
Award: Contract Number NAS9-18261, Task Order No. 5
Title: Wind Tunnel Testing and Research
Type: Cost Reimbursable
Sponsor:. • NASA-Johnson Space Center Type: Federal
Principal Investigator:. O.W. Nicks Division: Aerospace Engineering
Period of Performance: January.12, 1990 - March 12,.1993
Amount of this action: $ 23,993. ,
Previous Task: Order #1 " 9,750
Order #2 40,987 / -"
Order'#3 " . 20,270\t21_ q_"
Order #3A 1,135
Order #4 . 17 863
Total Task Orders: $113,998
Total Project: $113,998
To be obligated 9939
Total Award $123,937
Indirect Cost Rate: ...... 4.3% MTDC .........
Indirect Cost Distribution: 7.5% to PI / 33.75% to Aerospace
Payroll Accounting Analysis: Monthly - 50120027900 Biweekly -
Cost Sharing: None
Information: May release information and acknowledge sponsor.
Subcontracts: None
Property: Title vests with TEES.
Property Reports: None referenced per contract.
Sponsor Approval Required for Non-Budgeted Equipment: Yes XNo
Equipment Budgeted: mYes X No
Travel: Must have prior approval of sponsor.
Sponsor Contractual Contact: Richard l__e (713) 483-8513
Sponsor Technical Contact: David Kanipe
50120027900
TEES Contact: Project Accounting Administrator, Jill Card 845-3395
Contracts & Grants Administrator, Nancy Belding 845-1264
Regulations: NASA Contract and Research Task Order Terms.
Budget: May adjust budget categories without prior sponsor approval except for travel.
Technical Reports:
Approved By:
'(
i
Task description prior to each task (3 copies). Task report ten (10) days after
completion of each task (3 copies). Final report due 10 days after contract completion
Carol"j. Cantreli,_sistant Agency Director of Finance and Administration
/
ATTACHMENT NO. 2
TITLE PAGES OF TECHNICAL REPORTS
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING DMSION
TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Wind Tunnel Test for Base Enhancement
of the NASA 16-0 Space Shuttle Model - Phase II
Test Number 9004
Rodney Nabizgdeh
Cooperative Education Student
College Station, Texas
March 1991
\etch - _oz__
NASA Contractor Report 185671
0000
Subsonic Drag Reduction of the Space
Shuttle
Anwar Ahmed
Mohammad Javed Khan
Edmundo Varela-Rodriguez
CON'ItLACT NAS 9-18261
May 1992
NASA-JOHNSON SPACE
PARAFOIL TEST
CENTER
TEST NUMBER 9207 & 9213
by
Robert C. Reed
and
Scott Hafermalz
TEES REPORT NO. TR-9213
April 1992
NASA-Johnson Space Center
Study of the Space Shuttle Orbiter in Ground Effect
TEST NUMBER 9238
BY
Jennifer L. Devolites
TEES REPORT NO. TR°9238
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING DIVISION
TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Wake Survey Study of the NASA 16-0 Space Shuttle Model in Ground Effects
Configurations
Test Number 9305
Engineering Research Assistant Engineering Research Associate
College Station, Texas
May 1993
ATTACHMENT NO. 3
SUMMARY TABLE

FINAL REPORT PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE SUMMARY
TASK
1
Estimated
Performance
Date Issued
2/2/90
Test Date
2/5-9/90
2/5-9/90
Task Report
Date
Apr-90
Mar-91
TASK Estimated 2/3/93 311 -1 0/93 May-93
5 Performance 3/1 - 12/93 May-93
TASK Estimated 6/28/90 Aug-90 May-91
12/17-21/90 &
2 Performance 8/7- 8/91 May-92
3/9-11/92 &TASK Estimated 2/3/9 2 Jun-924/6-1 0/92
3/4-6/92 & 4/6-
3 & 3A Performance 1 0/92 Apr-92
TASK Estimated 8/1 2/92 Dec-92 May-93
4 Performance 11/16-25/92 Feb-93


Wind tunnel testing and research

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