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Downwind Turn
No full textDownwind Turn tells the story of Eli, a former Army helicopter crew chief now working in the civilian aerospace world. After a routine test flight, he finds himself unsettled by memories he thought he had buried. When an old friend from his deployment days shows up unexpectedly, their conversation brings long-suppressed emotions to the surface. Set against the backdrop of flight lines and desert heat, the story explores the quiet weight of trauma, the bonds forged in war, and the moment when holding on starts to hurt more than letting go
Silence Between Gears
No full textThis story is about coping with the emotional weight of loss and the fleeting, unexpected moments that bring people together. Tim, a man burdened by his past mistakes, moves to a quiet Wyoming town in search of a blank page to start a new chapter for his life. Mary, the neighbor across the street, is a lonely widow who has missed the excitement of life since her husband Herb passed away. The Gold Wing—once a symbol of freedom, love, and adventure—has been left to the unrelenting abuse of time and the elements: paint faded, metal rusted, and rubber decayed beyond service. From the moment their paths cross their relationship shifts from the indifference of strangers to the support of a much-needed friendship. Perhaps with a little elbow grease they can restore the motorcycle and begin to fix the broken parts of their lives in the process
ENTRY #426
No full textEntry #426 is a short science fiction story told through a recovered log from a salvage crew investigating a derelict mining vessel in restricted space. As routine operations give way to unexplained events, the line between report and confession begins to blur. A tense, atmospheric narrative about isolation, perception, and the dangers of the unknown
Beyond the Veil: Stories of Divine Encounter
No full textThis abstract delves into the transformative journey of Jack Randall, whose life takes a profound turn after a near-fatal collision in rural Kansas. Jack\u27s odyssey spans the thin veil between life and the afterlife, where he encounters the ethereal and navigates realms of dreams and spiritual awakening. Guided by the wisdom of Elijah and an angelic presence, Jack\u27s experiences challenge conventional perceptions of existence and illuminate the interconnectedness of human experience. Through moments of uncertainty and revelation, Jack\u27s story becomes a poignant exploration of resilience, faith, and the enduring quest for meaning in the face of life\u27s fragility. His journey transcends physical boundaries, delving into the spiritual and emotional depths of human existence, offering insights into the boundless possibilities inherent in the human spirit
Michael K Hinds - Funeral
No full textBritish Plot, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia, FL – looking north. Funeral of RAF Cadet, LAC Michael J Hinds, who was killed in a flying accident while training to be a pilot at 5BFTS, Riddle Field, Clewiston. The accident was during the night of July12 /13, 1944, and his funeral was held on July 14, 1944.https://commons.erau.edu/bfts-hinds-images/1002/thumbnail.jp
Experimental Analysis of Satellite Operator Training Using Game-Based Virtual Reality Simulation
No full textSatellite data plays a vital role in modern global infrastructure by enabling communications, navigation, and weather forecasting. As demand for satellite technology grows, so does the need for highly trained satellite ground operators. Traditional training regimens for satellite operators employ simulation using two-dimensional computer console displays paired with the varied ability of trainees to generate abstract mental imagery of the scenario. However, this development of mental imagery imposes a considerable learning curve and cognitive workload on the trainee, which may negatively impact the user experience and knowledge gained during the training scenario.
This experimental study investigated the effects of game-based virtual reality (GBVR) as an alternative training method for satellite operators. It also examined whether prior gaming or virtual reality (VR) expertise affected training outcomes. The training design was informed by the principles of flow theory, which emphasizes intrinsic motivation, optimal user experience, and prolonged cognitive engagement. Following the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model’s guidance on evaluating training, the study assessed participants’ user experience and knowledge gain. Data collection tools included the Game User Experience Satisfaction Scale (GUESS) and a written knowledge test. Simulator sickness, a common side effect of VR, was also measured using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire and included as a covariate.
A quantitative, factorial design was used to investigate the main effects and interaction of training type (GBVR vs. traditional two-dimensional) and prior experience level (expert vs. novice) on outcomes. Sixty upper-level undergraduate students, representing entry-level satellite operator candidates, were randomly assigned to four groups in a between-subjects post-test design. Due to violations of MANCOVA assumptions, the analysis was conducted using two separate two-way ANOVAs.
The first ANOVA examined the effects of training type and prior expertise on user experience scores. A significant main effect was found for training type, F(1, 56) = 6.05, p = .017, partial η² = .097, indicating that participants in the GBVR condition reported significantly higher user experience scores than those in the traditional condition. No other effects were significant. The second ANOVA assessed the same factors on knowledge test scores and revealed no significant main effects or interactions. Thus, the type of training and level of prior expertise did not significantly influence knowledge gain.
In conclusion, the study contributes to satellite operator education and training by demonstrating the integration of game-based virtual reality in this high-stakes environment. While no impact was detected in knowledge test scores, the findings indicate that regardless of the level of prior expertise, the type of training employed can significantly impact the user experience and satisfaction during satellite training. These results can inform future instructional design and decision-making regarding satellite operator training
Deriving a Closed-Form Solution for Over-Actuated Surface Vessels with Actuator Constraints
No full textOver-actuated surface vessels require control–allocation strategies that compute commands based on a surge–sway–yaw force vector among multiple independently steerable thrusters without violating actuator constraints. Conventional methods either solve a constrained optimization at every control step—incurring variable computational load—or apply pseudo-inverse heuristics that risk constraint violations. This thesis derives a closedform, limit-aware solution for a Unmanned Surface Vessel with two independent, steerable thrusters that achieves optimal accuracy with constant-time complexity. The proposed framework recasts allocation as an analytic inverse-kinematics problem. The attainable force workspace is partitioned into sixteen mutually exclusive operating classes, each defined by saturating two actuator variables (thrust or angle) at their nearest limits. Within each class, concise algebraic expressions yield the remaining control commands, and a scalar factor rescales end-point solutions to any interior point. A deterministic decision tree, synthesized from twenty-six boundary inequalities, selects the unique feasible class in O(1) time while guaranteeing respect for asymmetric thrust bounds for stern mounted thrusters and reduced steering envelopes of (|φ| ≤ 90°). By unifying analytic transparency with real-time efficiency, the closed-form solution presented here establishes a robust foundation for precision station keeping, autonomous docking, and fault-tolerant maneuvering of future over-actuated surface vessels operating under stringent actuator constraints
Boeing Speaker: Troy Rutherford
No full textAttend this candid discussion between Troy Rutherford, vice president of the MQ-25 program for Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Air Dominance division, and Chad Stearns, former Student Government Association (SGA) president, and current Phantom Works project manager at The Boeing Company. There will be plenty of time to ask questions of Mr. Rutherford and learn about his career trajectory.
About the Speaker:
Troy Rutherford is vice president of the MQ-25 program for Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Air Dominance division. In this role, he is responsible for leading the effort to design, develop, manufacture and deliver the U.S. Navy’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft system, the MQ-25 Stingray. Rutherford served as the senior director of MQ-25 Mission Systems and Software until being named program vice president in July 2022.
Prior to joining the MQ-25 team, Rutherford was a senior director with Boeing NeXt, a business division focused on the future of urban, regional and global mobility. He oversaw the program management of next-generation air vehicles and small, commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Rutherford also led the execution of Boeing NeXt partnership programs, which focused on the development and safe introduction of future aircraft.
Throughout his career at Boeing, Rutherford has held various leadership positions in software engineering, systems engineering and experimental flight test programs. He has extensive experience in program management, business development and strategy.
Rutherford has managed the development, production, integration and sustainment of a robust Boeing product portfolio, including development of an electric vertical takeoff and landing cargo air vehicle used to study new technologies, the UAV certification process and the regulatory requirements for safe, sustainable and seamless mobility.
Rutherford has a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a master’s degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis