The changing face of international space cooperation : One view of NASA

This article looks at how, over the past 20 years, NASA's role in space activities has changed. It looks at trends in NASA's posture towards cooperation with other nations and speculates on current and future behaviour. The Space Station programme in particular is discussed and the way in which NASA reconciles self-interest with cooperation.     

光电技术校准示波器上升时间

光电脉冲法是解决高速取样示波器上升时间校准问题的最新技术。介绍了用光电技术校准取样示波器上升时间的工作原理及超短脉冲激光产生、快速电脉冲产生、快速电脉冲校准等关键技术。     

Best practices for model-based and simulation-aided engineering of power transmission and motion control systems

This paper deals with the modelling and simulation of aircraft systems, in particular for power transmission and control. It is intended to review, propose and disseminate best practices for making model-based/simulation-aided engineering more efficient at any phase of the system life cycle. The proposals are aimed at creating value, not only by increasing the performance of the product under study but also by shortening the time to market, capitalizing knowledge, mitigating risks and facilitating concurrent engineering. The needs associated with the engineering activities are firstly identified to define a set of requirements for the models. Then, these requirements are used to drive the considerations leading to model development, focusing in particular on the process, modelled physical effects, modelling level, model architecting and concurrent engineering. The third part deals with the model implementation, giving special consideration to the different types of models, causalities, parameterization, implementation and verification. Each part is illustrated by examples related to safety critical actuators.     

NASA在纳米技术领域的研究和应用进展

NASA一直致力于先进航天技术探索与应用,其中,为推动纳米技术的发展与应用,规划了20年的研究发展计划。相关纳米技术被认为能够精确实现材料的预想性能,并可制备出更小、更具环境稳定性的航天器。文章跟踪介绍NASA在纳米技术领域的研究和应用进展,包括:1)先进结构材料及其应用;2)能量的生成与储存;3)热控制材料及其应用;4)纳米传感器的发展;5)推进剂及推进器的革新等。     

HyperFLOW亚跨声速流动验证

主要介绍了结构/非结构混合CFD软件HyperFLOW的设计开发与验证.HyperFLOW软件在结构网格上采用结构算法,在非结构网格上采用非结构算法,以充分利用两种网格及解算器的优点.首先介绍了软件的体系结构和基本算法,然后采用NASA Trap-Wing高升力外形和DLR-F6翼身组合体,对软件的结构解算器和非结构解算器进行了验证.结果表明,该软件的结构解算器和非结构解算器均有较好的网格收敛性,计算结果与其他参考结果和试验数据均符合较好,具有可接受的可信度.     

高升力标模确认计算研究

针对高升力标模NASA Trapwing全展襟翼构型展开确认计算研究。采用N-S方法,预测高升力模型的流动状态,分析高升力的流动现象及机理,评估自主研发的WiseManPlus软件及WoF90软件预测高升力流动的能力。通过对网格生成、计算策略及数据分析等各个环节进行分析,制定出一套适用于高升力模型工程应用的CFD计算方法,得到与实验值吻合较好的计算结果。结果表明,目前所采用的结构网格求解器WiseManPlus软件及混合网格求解器WoF90软件计算精度相当,适用于模拟高升力流动。     

用于叶轮机械流场计算的交错网格有限体积法

在对各种交错网格离散格式的奇偶不耦合数值误差进行了详细的傅里叶分析和比较后,采用一种紧致的交错网格有限体积法将纳维-斯托克斯方程和k-ε湍流模型方程紧密的耦合在一起求解,发展了一套三维定常流程序.通过对NASA Rotor 67设计和非设计工况内部流场的数值模拟结果与实验的比较、分析,初步验证了程序的准确性和可靠性.      

Expectations for Crater Size and Photometric Evolution from the Deep Impact Collision

The NASA Discovery Deep Impact mission involves a unique experiment designed to excavate pristine materials from below the surface of comet. In July 2005, the Deep Impact (DI) spacecraft, will release a 360 kg probe that will collide with comet 9P/Tempel 1. This collision will excavate pristine materials from depth and produce a crater whose size and appearance will provide fundamental insights into the nature and physical properties of the upper 20 to 40 m. Laboratory impact experiments performed at the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range at NASA Ames Research Center were designed to assess the range of possible outcomes for a wide range of target types and impact angles. Although all experiments were performed under terrestrial gravity, key scaling relations and processes allow first-order extrapolations to Tempel 1. If gravity-scaling relations apply (weakly bonded particulate near-surface), the DI impact could create a crater 70 m to 140 m in diameter, depending on the scaling relation applied. Smaller than expected craters can be attributed either to the effect of strength limiting crater growth or to collapse of an unstable (deep) transient crater as a result of very high porosity and compressibility. Larger then expected craters could indicate unusually low density (< 0.3 g cm⁻³) or backpressures from expanding vapor. Consequently, final crater size or depth may not uniquely establish the physical nature of the upper 20 m of the comet. But the observed ejecta curtain angles and crater morphology will help resolve this ambiguity. Moreover, the intensity and decay of the impact “flash” as observed from Earth, space probes, or the accompanying DI flyby instruments should provide critical data that will further resolve ambiguities.     

Redefining safety in commercial space: Understanding debates over the safety of private human spaceflight initiatives in the United States

In 2009 President Obama proposed a budget for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that canceled the Constellation program and included the development of commercial crew transportation systems into low Earth orbit. This significant move to shift human spaceflight into the private sector sparked political debate, but much of the discourse has focused on impacts to “safety.” Although no one disputes the importance of keeping astronauts safe, strategies for defining safety reveal contrasting visions for the space program and opposing values regarding the privatization of U.S. space exploration. In other words, the debate over commercial control has largely become encoded in arguments over safety. Specifically, proponents of using commercial options for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) argue that commercial vehicles would be safe for astronauts, while proponents of NASA control argue that commercial vehicles would be unsafe, or at least not as safe as NASA vehicles. The cost of the spaceflight program, the technical requirements for designing a vehicle, the track record of the launch vehicle, and the experience of the launch provider are all incorporated into what defines safety in human spaceflight. This paper analyzes these contested criteria through conceptual lenses provided by fields of science and technology policy (STP) and science, technology, and society (STS). We ultimately contend that these differences in definition result not merely from ambiguous understandings of safety, but from intentional and strategic choices guided by normative positions on the commercialization of human spaceflight. The debate over safety is better considered a proxy debate for the partisan preferences embedded within the dispute over public or private spaceflight.     

复合材料在新一代商用发动机上的应用与发展

GE公司率先在新一代商用发动机GE90上应用了复合材料并取得了成功,随后在GEnx发动机和LEAP-X发动机上应用了更多的复合材料,在NASAN+3先进发动机项目中复合材料的应用将达到一个新的水平。本文就复合材料在新一代商用发动机上的应用与发展作一概括性介绍,供业界相关人士参考。