Search results for " ROCKET"
showing 10 items of 17 documents
Autonomous frequency stabilization of two extended cavity diode lasers at the potassium wavelength on a sounding rocket
2016
We have developed, assembled, and flight-proven a stable, compact, and autonomous extended cavity diode laser (ECDL) system designed for atomic physics experiments in space. To that end, two micro-integrated ECDLs at 766.7 nm were frequency stabilized during a sounding rocket flight by means of frequency modulation spectroscopy (FMS) of 39^K and offset locking techniques based on the beat note of the two ECDLs. The frequency stabilization as well as additional hard- and software to test hot redundancy mechanisms were implemented as part of a state-machine, which controlled the experiment completely autonomously throughout the entire flight mission.
Controllable Solid Propellant Rocket Motor Stability: Deep and Rapid Variable Thrust Operations
2008
When flow and combustion processes couple with the acoustic modes of the combustion chamber, the solid rocket motors experience unsteady gas motion and associated thrust oscillation and motor vibration. The operations of the variable nozzle introduce relevant dynamic changes in the chamber flow and combustion. This article proposes a non-linear approach for the analysis of the effects of severe nozzle manoeuvres on the controllable solid rocket motor stability and provides the evidence that the acoustic wave amplitude evolution is influenced by the nozzle manoeuvre severity, shape and direction. The additional complexity in the problem of the combustion stability analysis introduced by the …
Optical frequency combs for space applications
2016
Optical frequency comb-based high resolution laser spectroscopy has been demonstrated in space under micro-gravity on two sounding rocket based experiments. The comb has been used to simultaneously measure two different atomic transitions.
Design of a compact diode laser system for dual-species atom interferometry with rubidium and potassium in space
2017
We report on a micro-integrated high power diode laser based system for the MAIUS II/III missions. The laser system features fiber coupled and frequency stabilized external cavity diode lasers (ECDL) for laser cooling, Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) generation and dual species atom interferometry with rubidium and potassium on board a sounding rocket.
Highly stable Zerodur based optical benches for microgravity applications and other adverse environments
2019
A number of cold atom experiments are restrained by the impeding effects of gravity. While efforts have been made to overcome these limitations in a gravitational environment, another approach is placing the experiment in a microgravity environment, as can be found aboard sounding rockets, satellites or a space station. The cornerstone of such experiments is a robust laser system. The adverse conditions during a rocket launch impose stringent requirements on thermal stability and resilience against mechanical stress on this part of the experimental setup. Furthermore, the very limited space found on any of the aforementioned microgravity platforms necessitates maximal miniaturization. In or…
An analytical model of heat transfer and fluid dynamic performances of an unconventional NTR engine for manned interplanetary missions
2009
Abstract An analytical model of fluid flow and heat transfer of a Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) engine concept is presented. The engine is based on the direct conversion of the kinetic energy of the fission fragments (FFs) into the propellant enthalpy. The FFs can escape from an extremely thin layer of fissionable material: a sufficiently large surface coated with few micrometers of Americium 242m, confined by a neutron moderator–reflector, may become a critical reactor. Three dimensional coupled CFD-Monte Carlo simulations have already been presented in Di Piazza and Mulas (2006) . In this paper, an analytical integral 1-D model of fluid dynamics and heat transfer is built in order to fores…
WAVES PROPAGATION AND LIQUID ALUMINUM PARTICLE INJECTION IN SOLID ROCKET MOTORS
2013
A method to determine the injection of aluminium particles from the solid propellant burning surface to the core of the chamber in the presence of an acoustic wave field is developed and aluminum-droplet effects on propagation of acoustic waves in the flow of a solid rocket motor are analysed. Changes of the multiphase flow compressibility are calculated by taking into account both the translational and the pulsational motions of the aluminum droplets in consequence of the acoustic waves.
Zvaigžņotā Debess: 2000, Pavasaris (167)
2000
Contents: P.Müürsepp. B.Schmidt, Prominent Optician of 20th Century ; J.Miezis. Buildings on the Moon ; Z.Alksne, A.Alksnis. Stars Enshrouded in Envelopes ; A.Alksnis. Goals and Progress of the DENIS Program ; Z.Alksne. Shapley Supercluster – Playground of Clusters of Galaxies ; A.Alksnis. Wide Field Imager Discovers Distant Galaxies ; J.Jaunbergs. Roton SSTO: First Flight Tests ; M.Gills. Space Research 40 Years Ago – Chronicle ; I.Vilks. The Secret of Low-Probability Complexity in the Universe ; K.Bērziņš. On Friendly Terms with Cosmology: Development of Cosmological Views (concluded) ; A.Balklavs. Astronomy in the Internet (WWW) ; V.Flerov, A.Cēbers. Latvia 23rd Open Olympiad of Physics:…
Thrust Vector Controller Comparison for a Finless Rocket
2023
The paper focuses on comparing applicability, tuning, and performance of different controllers implemented and tested on a finless rocket during its boost phase. The objective was to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each controller, such that the most appropriate one would then be developed and implemented in real-time in the finless rocket. The compared controllers were Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG), and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID). To control the attitude of the rocket, emphasis is given to the Thrust Vector Control (TVC) component (sub-system) through the gimballing of the rocket engine. The launcher is commanded through the cont…
Space-borne frequency comb metrology
2016
Precision time references in space are of major importance to satellite-based fundamental science, global satellite navigation, earth observation, and satellite formation flying. Here we report on the operation of a compact, rugged, and automated optical frequency comb setup on a sounding rocket in space under microgravity. The experiment compared two clocks, one based on the optical D2 transition in Rb, and another on hyperfine splitting in Cs. This represents the first frequency comb based optical clock operation in space, which is an important milestone for future satellite-based precision metrology. Based on the approach demonstrated here, future space-based precision metrology can be i…