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Versatile Anchoring System Technology
No full textSmall celestial bodies (SCBs) have been the central focus of many interplanetary missions aiming to research the history of the solar system and expand scientific discovery. Direct physical interaction with SCBs has only been accomplished five times, and none of these missions successfully anchored a lander to an SCB\u27s surface. VAST\u27s goal is to develop an effective anchoring system capable of maintaining lander contact with an SCB. Given research on the surface composition of SCBs, VAST believes surface penetration through the use of a mechanical anchor will provide sufficient anchoring force to counter any external centrifugal forces faced on the SCB surface. VAST\u27s prototype will be controlled remotely with communication between two Arduinos responsible with launching the mechanical anchor. Calculations through Ansys and Catia VS were conducted to ensure the VAST prototype can withstand external and reaction forces during its deployment on an SCB surface. By establishing a foundation for sustained interaction with SCBs through anchoring, scientific missions can extend their time on SCBs beyond their limited touch-and-go capabilities of today
Asteroid Locking Platform Solution-Alps, College of Engineering Capstone
No full textALPS (Asteroid Locking Platform Solution) facilitates the successful attachment of a lander to metallic or M-Class asteroids. ALPS provides an attachment mechanism for M-Class asteroids to allow for static operations of its host lander. The mission profile for ALPS begins after the lander has already landed and maintained stable contact on the ground. Once stabilized, ALPS lowers its drill until contact with the surface is made, and then the drill begins the attachment process. If the initial attachment is unsuccessful, ALPS includes a spindle mechanism to reattach to the asteroid. ALPS will support the success of any mission utilizing the attachment and detachment processes
Pulsed Induction Thruster-Capstone Project
No full textModern-day space technology and space exploration is limited by numerous factors. One major factor is the cost of space missions. The sources of cost come from many components of a satellite, but the most glaring one is the cost of a capable electric thruster. Expensive components such as cathode, anode, magnetic circuits, and screen grids are all critical components in thrusters used today. Xenon, being the most widely used propellant in electric propulsion, is one of the most expensive and scarce noble gases, which is an issue we are looking to resolve. To solve these issues, we decided to work on a pulsed inductive thruster. We began to approach a solution in which many different propellants can be used, like argon, carbon dioxide, water, or nitrogen. This would lead to an increased lifespan since refueling could take place simply by passing by another planet\u27s atmosphere. We also decided to change existing designs, such as the one from Northrop Grumman. After looking into papers produced by researchers at Northrop Grumman, we\u27ve concluded that if we replace the injection system with a more practical design utilizing modern technology, we can produce similar results at a lower cost. This design would consist of 12 injectors placed radially around the extremity of the engine, pointing the gas towards an inductor plate. With rapidly changing current, the inductor plate will create an EMF which will ionize the gas and in turn, create plasma. To develop the design, we took several measurements of the vacuum chamber on campus, which lead our size restrictions. We then modeled it in SolidWorks and simulated fluid flow in a vacuum. This helped us understand how our design would affect the propellant in space since this thruster\u27s main applications is satellite propulsion
Who Do We Think Should Go to the Stars? Using Social Role Theory to Predict Perceived Job Classifications in Space Industry Candidates.
Get PDFThe aerospace industry has long been known for its fast-tempo operations and technological achievement. However, this field has failed to keep pace with implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion research. Previous research has highlighted a formidable environment for women and minorities in other science, technology, engineering, and math-related fields as they confront issues that impede their attainment of high-paying and prestigious positions. The existing research does not investigate public perceptual biases toward the suitability of individuals based on their genders and ethnicities to human space flight roles. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to bridge this knowledge gap by exploring the effects of sex and racial-based biases toward workers in the space industry. Using Social Role Theory as a theoretical foundation, an online card sort study was conducted in which participants assigned specific human space flight jobs to images portraying candidates of varying sex (male or female) and ethnicity (Caucasian, African, Hispanic, or Asian descent). Participant sex, participant age, and participant exposure to aviation were also examined to understand how they might affect job placement. The data from this study supported each of the hypotheses, demonstrating that candidate gender/ethnicity, participant gender, participant age, and prior exposure to aviation do differentially influence job placement. The results of this study provide empirical support for Social Role Theory and provide a foundation for future space organizations, both public and private, to bolster institutional policy, develop new and sustainable practices for hiring and retaining individuals with diverse backgrounds, and ensure fair workplaces
Low-Complexity Classical and Machine Learning Algorithms to Locally and Globally Recover Algebraic Codes over Finite Fields
No full textRecovering algebraic codes over a finite field through algebraic-geometric methods can be computationally challenging, especially when dealing with extensive searches necessitated by the larger cardinality of the field. In response to these computational demands, we present low-complexity classical and machine learning algorithms for both local and global recovery of algebraic codes over finite fields. Our classical algorithm could be utilized to locally and globally recover codes over the field of cardinality n with the complexity of O (r log r) as opposed to O(r^3), where r \u3c n is the locality of the field.
Recognizing that algebraic codes are limited to local recovery, we present globally recovered codes with a neural network architecture. This approach utilizes a structured neural network grounded in discrete cosine transform architecture, so-called DCT-StNN, which incorporates both frozen and learnable weight matrices for enhanced performance. We present numerical results for both the classical algorithm and the DCT-StNN architecture. Although the DCT-StNN has similar accuracy and requires 90% fewer FLOPs and parameters than conventional feed-forward networks, the classical algorithm is the one that has the lowest FLOPs and inference time. However, it’s worth noting that while the classical approach struggles to predict unseen algebraic codes, the DCT-StNN excels in this regard.
This is a joint work with Hansaka Aluvihare, Xianqi Li, and Sirani M. Perer
Roger B Crosskey - Image
No full textImage of Roger B Crosskey published in Embry-Riddle\u27s Fly Paper, Listening Out, Supplement for Course 3 on March 12, 1942.https://commons.erau.edu/bfts-crosskey-images/1001/thumbnail.jp
Impact of Uncertainties on Structures Damage Tolerance Parameters
Get PDFThis research aims to enhance the understanding and management of aerospace structural integrity. Traditional fracture control methods, such as damage tolerance analysis (DTA), assume deterministic factors, considering uncertainties inherent in material properties, inspections, and operational conditions only at the final stage by applying safety factors. This research seeks to incorporate these uncertainties throughout the analysis by integrating Monte Carlo simulation with Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). The objective is to investigate how varying parameters affect crack growth prediction and the effectiveness of inspection strategies. The methodology involves systematically analyzing inspection intervals, considering factors like material properties, probability of detection (POD), and other critical inputs. Cascade charts are generated to select inspection intervals that meet regulatory requirements, such as those established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The project\u27s outcome will be a versatile code allowing for future updates and adaptations. Through this research, we anticipate enhancing aerospace structural reliability and safety
Preventing Workplace Violence: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Organizations
No full textWorkplace violence is a critical and growing concern for organizations across all industries. It encompasses a wide spectrum from bullying and verbal threats to physical assaults and, in the most tragic cases, homicide. While acts of extreme violence often dominate news headlines, they are typically preceded by missed warning signs and failed interventions