A document describes work on the origin of Coriolis force and estimating Coriolis force and torque applied to the Ares-1 vehicle during its ascent, based on an internal ballistics model for a multi-segmented solid rocket booster (SRB).
The work estimates Coriolis force and torque applied to the vehicle during its ascent. Maveric flight simulation software was used to produce the required angular velocity data for the Coriolis force and torque computations. For the simulation of gas movement in SRB, software was developed using a dynamical model of internal ballistics of the five-segmented SRB. Also included in the work are a study and estimate of Coriolis force and torque applied to the rocket due to SRB nozzle movement. For calculation of internal ballistics, Coriolis force, and torque computations, MATLAB software was used.
Coriolis force and torque were calculated and applied to Ares-1 during its ascent. Two cases were considered: Coriolis force and torque applied to the rocket originating from gas movement in SRB, and Coriolis force and torque originating from exhaust gas movement in SRB nozzle. Coriolis force and torque are the largest during the first 20 seconds after the launch when rocket angular velocity is large. SRB Coriolis force is about 5.4 times larger than nozzle Coriolis force, and SRB Coriolis torque is about 2.8 times larger than the nozzle Coriolis torque at the time t=10 seconds. The inclusion of flexible rocket model does not provide a significant change to the results of Coriolis force and torque computations in comparison with a rigid rocket model.
This work was done by Ryan M. Mackey and Igor K. Kulikov of Caltech; Vadim Smelyanskiy and Dmitry Luchinsky of Ames Research Center; and Jeb Orr of BD Systems Inc. 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).
Estimation of Coriolis Force and Torque Acting on Ares-1
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) focused on the estimation of Coriolis force and torque acting on the Ares-1 rocket during its ascent. It is part of the NASA Tech Briefs and is intended to disseminate findings related to aerospace developments that have broader technological, scientific, or commercial applications.
The primary objective of the study is to analyze the dynamics of a gimbaled flexible missile, specifically the Ares-1, by examining the scalar flex state described by a differential equation. This equation accounts for various parameters, including mode frequency and initial conditions, which are crucial for understanding the vehicle's behavior during flight.
Key findings include the calculation of Coriolis forces and torques that act on the Ares-1, which are significant due to the vehicle's motion and the effects of its flexible structure. The document includes various figures illustrating the gas density and velocity as functions of coordinate and time, as well as the components of the Coriolis force acting on the rocket. Notably, the analysis reveals that the largest deviations in the vehicle's movement occur at the top of the rocket, particularly during the first 120 seconds of ascent.
The document emphasizes the importance of understanding these forces for the design and operation of flexible rockets, as they can significantly impact stability and control. The results are intended to inform future designs and operational strategies for similar aerospace vehicles.
In conclusion, this Technical Support Package provides valuable insights into the dynamics of the Ares-1 rocket, highlighting the role of Coriolis forces and the importance of flexible dynamics in aerospace engineering. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of rocket behavior during ascent and are part of NASA's ongoing efforts to advance aerospace technology. The document serves as a resource for researchers and engineers involved in aerospace development and is part of NASA's commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering innovation in the field.
