Space Science Projects

This thesis presents a thermodynamic analysis of a novel Rankine cycle aluminum/steam combustion power system being developed for use in Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). The analysis is performed using a system modeling tool developed by the NASA Glenn Research Center ...

This dissertation presents an aeromechanical closed loop stability and response analysis of a hingeless rotor helicopter with a Higher Harmonic Control (HHC) system for vibration reduction. The analysis includes the rigid body dynamics of the helicopter and blade flexibility. The ...

Mars is recently the most popular destination for planetary exploitation. A large extent of scientific research have shown that there was very likely water on this red planet, and even oceans might exist before. Although due to the extremely long ...

This research focuses on the use of magnetorheological (MR) dampers for enhanced occupant protection during harsh vertical landings as well as isolation of the occupant from cockpit vibrations. The capabilities of the current state-of-the-art in helicopter crew seat energy absorption ...

A hybrid hydraulic actuation system is proposed as an active pitch link for rotorcraft applications. Such an active pitch link can be used to implement Individual Blade Control (IBC) techniques for vibration and noise reduction, in addition to providing primary ...

The objective of this thesis is to determine if different measurement combinations will improve absolute and relative orbit determination (OD) accuracy for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. LISA, a triangular three-satellite heliocentric constellation, measures the relative length changes ...

The focus of this thesis was to design an energy management system for Marsokhod, a six-wheeled Martian rover. The rover is designed with a distributed energy system, each wheel contains a battery, motor controller and H-bridge, while each battery provides ...

In this paper the fixed step Gauss-Jackson method is compared to two variable step integrators. The first is the variable step, variable order Shampine-Gordon method. The second is s-integration, which may be considered an analytical step regulation. Speed tests are ...

Size restrictions force MAVs to operate in a low Reynolds number aerodynamic regime that results in poor aerodynamic performance of conventional airfoils and rotor configurations. A computerized hover test stand was used for the systematic testing of single and coaxial ...

Imagine the following situation. You give your favorite robot, named Pippi, the task to fetch a parcel that just arrived at your front door. While pushing the parcel back to you, she must travel through a door opening. Unfortunately, the ...