Posted on 12/07/2009 12:47:09 AM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
After 30 days of data reduction, Ares I-X engineers continue to find fairly close correlation between their computer models and the flight performance of the test vehicle, which was the tallest rocket ever launched.
Flight-control algorithms developed for the operational vehicle "worked extremely well," said NASA's Marshall Smith, systems engineering and integration (SE&I) manager for Ares I-X, and the flight data in general validated the computer models being used to design Ares I.
"I, personally, from SE&I, am very, very pleased with the performance of our (guidance, navigation and control) system; the algorithms that we're testing for Ares I worked perfectly and flawlessly," Smith said. "The predictions matched extremely well. I think that is a key point validating our models that we would use to build Ares I, Ares V."
Factors driving thrust oscillation as the first stage nears burnout, once considered a possible danger to the Orion crew, were lower than expected, as was the roll torque generated by the solid-fuel stage, Smith says. Early modeling of the roll torque drove selection of a 600-lb.-thrust roll-control engine to handle it, which may prove more powerful than necessary.
Thrust oscillation pressure was about a third of what was predicted, Smith said, and the frequency was about half of the predicted value. NASA is designing a heavy set of titanium springs and seat shock absorbers to protect Orion crew exploration vehicle astronauts from thrust oscillation vibrations, but Smith said it is too soon to say whether there will be design implications from the Ares I-X data.
(Excerpt) Read more at aviationweek.com ...
“Thrust oscillation vibrations”, a consequence of solid rocket booster technology. That’s one thing the Russians were never able to achieve, btw, as well as resuable liquid fuel rocket engines. The Ares V will include both.
Technically speaking, NASA didn’t lauch the Ares I.
http://nasawatch.com/archives/2009/11/time-magazines.html
And, NASA is already playing games with the safety projections:
http://nasawatch.com/archives/2009/12/hanley-changes.html
Cheers
Ack! That should be “launch,” not “lauch.”
Sorry about that typo.
Cheers
Too bad NASA is all up into Climate Gate.
ping
ping
You mean a rocket ISN’T as safe as driving down to walmart? hmmm
As a former engineer at Johnson Space Center, I'm less than impressed.
Go fo Jupiter 246 (Direct v3) Crew/vehicle
http://www.launchcomplexmodels.com/Direct/documents/Baseball_Cards/J246-41.4004.10050_CLV_090606.jpg
Around where I live, a rocket IS safer than driving to Walmart!
:^)
Cheers
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