06 Fakultät Luft- und Raumfahrttechnik und Geodäsie

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://elib.uni-stuttgart.de/handle/11682/7

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Assessment of high enthalpy flow conditions for re-entry aerothermodynamics in the plasma wind tunnel facilities at IRS
    (2021) Loehle, Stefan; Zander, Fabian; Eberhart, Martin; Hermann, Tobias; Meindl, Arne; Massuti-Ballester, Bartomeu; Leiser, David; Hufgard, Fabian; Pagan, Adam S.; Herdrich, Georg; Fasoulas, Stefanos
    This article presents the full operational experimental capabilities of the plasma wind tunnel facilities at the Institute of Space Systems at the University of Stuttgart. The simulation of the aerothermodynamic environment experienced by vehicles entering the atmosphere of Earth is attempted using three different facilities. Utilizing the three different facilities, the recent improvements enable a unique range of flow conditions in relation to other known facilities. Recent performance optimisations are highlighted in this article. Based on the experimental conditions demonstrated a corresponding flight scenario is derived using a ground-to-flight extrapolation approach based on local mass-specific enthalpy, total pressure and boundary layer edge velocity gradient. This shows that the three facilities cover the challenging parts of the aerothermodynamics along the entry trajectory from Low Earth Orbit. Furthermore, the more challenging conditions arising during interplanetary return at altitudes above 70 km are as well covered.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Mars and Venus entry simulation capabilities of IRS plasma wind tunnel PWK3
    (2012) Herdrich, Georg; Marynowski, Thomas; Dropmann, Michael; Fasoulas, Stefanos
    An assessment is made for the inductively driven plasma wind tunnel PWK3 with the goal to derive relevant mass specific enthalpies for typical Mars and Venus atmospheric entry missions. For this purpose an integral method has been used which links the plasma power to the radial distribution of total pressure and fully catalytic heat flux in the plasma jet on basis of a relation from Marvin and Pope. Rebuilding the enthalpies with this relation allows for the derivation of a gas specific proportionality factor. This factor enables the derivation of the mass specific enthalpies at the centre line and the radial profiles for the respective condition are not necessarily required any more. Correspondingly a review of reference CO2 plasma conditions obtained in past investigations at IRS leads to the identification of an operational envelope in terms of the mass specific enthalpies which are from an energy consideration the prerequisite for the creation of similarities with respect to the real atmospheric entry maneuvers. The analysis shows that PWK3 is capable to cover the full range of mass specific enthalpies that are required for typical Mars and Venus atmospheric entry scenarios.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    An automated system analysis and design tool for spacecrafts
    (2021) Ehresmann, Manfred; Herdrich, Georg; Fasoulas, Stefanos
    In this paper, a generic full-system estimation software tool is introduced and applied to a data set of actual flight missions to derive a heuristic for system composition for mass and power ratios of considered sub-systems. The capability of evolutionary algorithms to analyse and effectively design spacecraft (sub-)systems is shown. After deriving top-level estimates for each spacecraft sub-system based on heuristic heritage data, a detailed component-based system analysis follows. Various degrees of freedom exist for a hardware-based sub-system design; these are to be resolved via an evolutionary algorithm to determine an optimal system configuration. A propulsion system implementation for a small satellite test case will serve as a reference example of the implemented algorithm application. The propulsion system includes thruster, power processing unit, tank, propellant and general power supply system masses and power consumptions. Relevant performance parameters such as desired thrust, effective exhaust velocity, utilised propellant, and the propulsion type are considered as degrees of freedom. An evolutionary algorithm is applied to the propulsion system scaling model to demonstrate that such evolutionary algorithms are capable of bypassing complex multidimensional design optimisation problems. An evolutionary algorithm is an algorithm that uses a heuristic to change input parameters and a defined selection criterion (e.g., mass fraction of the system) on an optimisation function to refine solutions successively. With sufficient generations and, thereby, iterations of design points, local optima are determined. Using mitigation methods and a sufficient number of seed points, a global optimal system configurations can be found.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Analysis of collision avoidance manoeuvres using aerodynamic drag for the Flying Laptop satellite
    (2023) Turco, Fabrizio; Traub, Constantin; Gaißer, Steffen; Burgdorf, Jonas; Klinkner, Sabine; Fasoulas, Stefanos
    Collision avoidance is a topic of growing importance for any satellite orbiting Earth. Especially those satellites without thrusting capabilities face the problem of not being able to perform impulsive collision avoidance manoeuvres. For satellites in low Earth orbits, though, perturbing accelerations due to aerodynamic drag may be used to influence their trajectories, thus offering a possibility to avoid collisions without consuming propellant. Here, this manoeuvring option is investigated for the satellite Flying Laptop of the University of Stuttgart, which orbits the Earth at approximately 600km. In a first step, the satellite is aerodynamically analysed making use of the tool ADBSat. By employing an analytic equation from the literature, in-track separation distances can then be derived following a variation of the ballistic coefficient through a change in attitude. A further examination of the achievable separation distances proves the feasibility of aerodynamic collision avoidance manoeuvres for the Flying Laptop for moderate and high solar and geomagnetic activity. The predicted separation distances are further compared to flight data, where the principle effect of the manoeuvre on the satellite trajectory becomes visible. The results suggest an applicability of collision avoidance manoeuvres for all satellites in comparable and especially in lower orbits than the Flying Laptop , which are able to vary their ballistic coefficient.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Relation between crystal structure and transition temperature of superconducting metals and alloys
    (2020) Koblischka, Michael Rudolf; Roth, Susanne; Koblischka-Veneva, Anjela; Karwoth, Thomas; Wiederhold, Alex; Zeng, Xian Lin; Fasoulas, Stefanos; Murakami, Masato
    Using the Roeser-Huber equation, which was originally developed for high temperature superconductors (HTSc) (H. Roeser et al., Acta Astronautica 62 (2008) 733), we present a calculation of the superconducting transition temperatures, 𝑇𝑐, of some elements with fcc unit cells (Pb, Al), some elements with bcc unit cells (Nb, V), Sn with a tetragonal unit cell and several simple metallic alloys (NbN, NbTi, the A15 compounds and MgB2). All calculations used only the crystallographic information and available data of the electronic configuration of the constituents. The model itself is based on viewing superconductivity as a resonance effect, and the superconducting charge carriers moving through the crystal interact with a typical crystal distance, x. It is found that all calculated 𝑇𝑐-data fall within a narrow error margin on a straight line when plotting (2𝑥)2 vs. 1/𝑇𝑐 like in the case for HTSc. Furthermore, we discuss the problems when obtaining data for 𝑇𝑐 from the literature or from experiments, which are needed for comparison with the calculated data. The 𝑇𝑐-data presented here agree reasonably well with the literature data.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Enhanced algorithms to ensure the success of rendezvous maneuvers using aerodynamic forces
    (2021) Bühler, Simon; Traub, Constantin; Fasoulas, Stefanos; Herdrich, Georg H.
    A common practice in the field of differential lift and drag controlled satellite formation flight is to analytically design maneuver trajectories using linearized relative motion models and the constant density assumption. However, the state-of-the-art algorithms inevitably fail if the initial condition of the final control phase exceeds an orbit and spacecraft-dependent range, the so-called feasibility range. This article presents enhanced maneuver algorithms for the third (and final) control phase which ensure the overall maneuver success independent of the initial conditions. Thereby, all maneuvers which have previously been categorized as infeasible due to algorithm limitations are rendered feasible. An individual algorithm is presented for both possible control options of the final phase, namely differential lift or drag. In addition, a methodology to precisely determine the feasibility range without the need of computational expensive Monte Carlo simulations is presented. This allows fast and precise assessments of possible influences of boundary conditions, such as the orbital inclination or the maneuver altitude, on the feasibility range.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Influence of the sputtering technique and thermal annealing on YSZ thin films for oxygen sensing applications
    (2021) Paz Alpuche, Emilio; Gröger, Pascal; Wang, Xuetao; Kroyer, Thomas; Fasoulas, Stefanos
    Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films were deposited using direct current (reactive and metallic) and radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The effect of the deposition technique and annealing treatment on the microstructure and crystallinity of the thin films was assessed. Using the films produced in this work, oxygen gas sensors were built and their performance under vacuum conditions was evaluated. All the films exhibited a cubic crystalline structure after a post-deposition thermal treatment, regardless of the sputtering technique. When the annealing treatment surpassed 1000 °C, impurities were detected on the thin film surface. The oxygen gas sensors employing the reactive and oxide-sputtered YSZ thin films displayed a proportional increase in the sensor current as the oxygen partial pressure was increased in the evaluated pressure range (5 × 10-6 to 2 × 10-3 mbar). The sensors which employed the metallic-deposited YSZ films suffered from electronic conductivity at low partial pressures.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Novel heat flux controlled surface cooling for hypersonic flight
    (2023) Hufgard, Fabian; Duernhofer, Christian; Fasoulas, Stefanos; Loehle, Stefan
    This paper presents a new method in theory and experiment to adjust the transpiration cooling based on the actual measured heat flux. This is particularly useful in extreme heating environments, e.g. atmospheric entry flight or combustion chamber applications. In such environments, usually cooling is set constant based on the vehicle design, yet a mass efficient and performant cooling is sought after. We present a method with real-time surface heat flux determination of the transpiration cooled wall and an automatic adjustment of the cooling. The heat flux is determined based on a system identification process. The heat flux measurement itself is derived non-intrusively from the measurement of pressure inside the plenum, i.e. the region between mass flow controller and porous wall. The particular advantage of this system is that the heat shield material is not weakened by any sensor system and its performance is optimized with respect to cooling needed at a certain heating level. Another new feature of the pressure heat flux transformation is the attenuation of a destabilizing positive feedback loop, where the transpiration cooling controller’s output (i.e. mass flow rate) strongly influences its input (i.e. plenum pressure). We describe the identification of the model parameters for the heat flux determination, which are found and verified by a calibration approach. The controlled cooling was demonstrated in a hot air plasma flow with a reference heat flux of up to 1.4 MW/m 2. The results show the performance and verify the applicability in a real flight environment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Fargo : validation of space-relevant ferrofluid applications on the ISS
    (2024) Sütterlin, Saskia; Bölke, Daniel; Ehresmann, Manfred; Heinz, Nicolas; Dietrich, Janoah; Karahan, Bahar; Kob, Maximilian; O’Donohue, Michael; Korn, Christian; Grossmann, Steffen; Philipp, Daniel; Steinert, Michael; Acker, Denis; Remane, Yolantha; Kreul, Phil; Schneider, Maximilan; Zajonz, Sebastian; Wank, Bianca; Turco, Fabrizio; Buchfink, Manuel; Gutierrez, Elizabeth; Hofmann, Sonja; Ruffner, Silas; Wagner, Alexander; Breitenbücher, Laura; Schäfer, Felix; Herdrich, Georg; Fasoulas, Stefanos
    The Ferrofluid Application Research Goes Orbital (FARGO) project desires to harness the potential of ferrofluids for advanced space system applications. Thereby, the student-led research project aims to develop, evaluate and subsequently validate three different ferrofluid-based applications on board the International Space Station (ISS): a novel attitude control system called Ferrowheel as well as a Thermal and an Electrical Switch. The project is part of the Überflieger2 competition of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in cooperation with the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA). Central to this study is the role of ferrofluids in ensuring the functional principles to minimize the number of moving components ultimately. Therefore, the proposed systems have the potential to mitigate wear, reduce friction, and consequently improve the longevity and reliability of space systems. In the Ferrowheel, a disc is supported on ferrofluid cushions instead of conventional ball-bearing-mounted rotors. This innovative approach, facilitated by the magnetic pressure positioning of the ferrofluid, eliminates the need for solid-to-solid contact. Circularly arranged coils function as the stator, propelling the disc with a 3-phase control, resulting in a spinning magnetic field. In addition to determining the generated torque, the objective is to validate experiments on system operations in which various acceleration and deceleration manoeuvres, as well as the stored angular momentum, are evaluated. The Electrical Switch leverages a self-manufactured magnetorheological fluid (MRF) developed by augmenting a liquid-metal base with iron powder. As a result, the fluid, akin to ferrofluid, has a magnetic field-responsive movement. Since a liquid metal is used as the base, the ferrofluid-like fluid acts as both the magnetically actuatable and the current conducting fluid. To enable a current flow, the fluid is brought between the two electrical contacts utilizing electropermanent magnets (EPMs). These magnets combine the high magnetic field strengths of permanent magnets with the adaptive switching capability of electromagnets. Compared to all other demand-controlled magnetic field sources, this results in the great advantage that no energy is consumed as long as they are in one state. Only the switching process of the EPMs itself requires a high amount of energy, but only for a relatively short period. The switching behaviour under different loads will be investigated, evaluated, and compared to reference data recorded on Earth. The design of the Thermal Switch is characterized by the fact that it can be actively switched. Active thermal switching is still a relatively new field, so there is little comparative data from industrial solutions. Particularly for spacecraft, thermal design is crucial because the harsh environment of space must be taken into account. In addition to the challenge that heat can only be transferred to the environment via thermal radiation, severe conditions in space are characterized by extreme temperature differences. While extreme heat develops on the satellite surface on the side facing the sun, the opposite is valid on the shaded side. The resulting heat flow, which is irregular in time, location, and direction, leads to temperature peaks and gradients that can affect the system’s performance, functionality, and reliability. Active switching provides selective control over heat transfer, allowing more flexible temperature regulation in critical areas and implementing a dynamic system response. Different design ideas are tested and evaluated for the applications in various experiments. The most suitable design is finally selected, further modified, and tailored for experimentation on the ISS and presented in this study. The most significant challenge is the time-critical factor of only a 1-year development phase. A total of 21 students from six different courses of study and two supervising PhD students from the Institute of Space Systems are involved in the FARGO project, all members of the small satellite student society at the University of Stuttgart, KSat e.V.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Chemical heat derived from rocket-borne WADIS-2 experiment
    (2024) Grygalashvyly, Mykhaylo; Strelnikov, Boris; Strelnikova, Irina; Rapp, Markus; Lübken, Franz-Josef; Schütt, Corinna; Stephan, Claudia; Eberhart, Martin; Löhle, Stefan; Fasoulas, Stefanos
    Chemical heating rates were derived from three of the most significant reactions based on the analysis of common volume rocket-borne measurements of temperature, atomic oxygen densities, and neutral air densities. This is one of the first instances of the retrieval of nighttime chemical heat through the utilization of non-emissive observations of atomic oxygen concentrations, obtained through in situ measurements, performed at the Andøya Space Center (69°N, 16°E) at 01:44:00 UTC on 5 March 2015. Furthermore, we determine the heating efficiency for one of the most significant reactions of atomic hydrogen with ozone and illustrate the methodology for such calculations based on known atomic oxygen and temperature. Subsequently, using ozone values obtained from satellite observations, we retrieved odd-hydrogens and total chemical heat. Finally, we compared the retrieved chemical heat with the heat from turbulent energy dissipation. Our findings reveal that the vertically averaged chemical heat is greater than the heat from turbulent energy dissipation throughout the entire mesopause region during nocturnal conditions. The heating rates of turbulent energy dissipation may exceed the chemical heating rates only in narrow peaks, several hundred meters wide.