A document describes research into the problem of detecting a case breach formation at an early stage of a rocket flight. An inversion algorithm for case breach allocation is proposed and analyzed. It is shown how the case breach can be allocated at an early stage of its development by using the rocket sensor data and the output data from the control block of the rocket navigation system. The results are simulated with MATLAB/Simulink software. The efficiency of an inversion algorithm for a case breach location is discussed.
The research was devoted to the analysis of the ARES-l flight during the first 120 seconds after the launch and early prediction of case breach failure. During this time, the rocket is propelled by its first-stage Solid Rocket Booster (SRB). If a breach appears in SRB case, the gases escaping through it will produce the (side) thrust directed perpendicular to the rocket axis. The side thrust creates a torque influencing the rocket attitude. The ARES-l control system will compensate for the side thrust until it reaches some critical value, after which the flight will be uncontrollable. The objective of this work was to obtain the start time of case breach development and its location using the rocket inertial navigation sensors and GNC data.
The algorithm was effective for the detection and location of a breach in an SRB field joint at an early stage of its development.
This work was done by Ryan M. Mackey and Igor K. Kulikov of Caltech and Anupa Bajwa, Peter Berg, and Vadim Smelyanskiy of Ames Research Center for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) at www.techbriefs.com /tsp under the Information Sciences category.
The software used in this innovation is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Daniel Broderick of the California Institute of Technology at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Inversion Method for Early Detection of ARES-1 Case Breach Failure
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Overview
The document titled "Inversion Method for Early Detection of ARES-1 Case Breach Failure" focuses on the analysis of the ARES-1 rocket's flight during the critical first 120 seconds post-launch, particularly concerning the potential failure of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) case. The primary objective is to detect and locate any breaches in the SRB case early in the flight, as such breaches can lead to significant side thrusts that affect the rocket's stability and control.
When a breach occurs in the SRB field joint, gases escape, creating a side thrust that generates torque perpendicular to the rocket's axis. This side thrust can destabilize the rocket's attitude, and if it exceeds a certain threshold, the control system will lose its ability to compensate, leading to mission failure. The document outlines a method for early detection of these breaches using inertial navigation sensors and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) data.
The research employs a computer simulation code to model the rocket's dynamics, including translational and rotational movements, and the effects of side thrust. The control system stabilizes the rocket by adjusting the nozzle orientation based on feedback from navigation data. The document describes both forward and backward processes for determining side thrust torque, which involves calculating total torque from engine and side thrust contributions and reconstructing it based on angular velocity and acceleration data.
A key finding is that the time window between the formation of side thrust and the point at which the control system can no longer compensate is approximately twenty seconds. If a breach occurs within the first 60 seconds of flight, the mission is likely to fail. Therefore, the research emphasizes the importance of early detection to predict abnormal rocket behavior and enhance mission safety.
The work was conducted at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Ames Research Center, supported by the Exploration Technology Development Program. The document serves as a technical support package, providing insights into aerospace developments with broader technological and commercial applications. Overall, it highlights the critical need for advanced detection methods in aerospace engineering to ensure the success of space missions.
