| PROPOSAL NUMBER: | A5.02-8289 (For NASA Use Only - Chron: 013710 ) |
| PROPOSAL TITLE: | |
| Flight Test Development of the X43A-LS Reusable Launch Vehicle |
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
A vehicle for access to space
with the ability to successfully takeoff from and land on a land- based runway
would have a great potential for reducing the cost and enhancing the safety of
space access involving a reusable launch vehicle. A significant difficulty in
attaining such an ability is the need to have acceptable low-speed handling and
flight characteristics. In addition, a stable and robust control system for the
low-velocity (as well as for the usual high-velocity) flight regimes is
required. NASA is developing the X43A hypersonic vehicle with such a vision, and
is currently exploring the vehicle's high-speed characteristics in another of
its programs. This Phase I proposal is to explore the vehicle's low-speed flight
envelope and handling characteristics, by performing flight tests on the
X43A-LS, a low speed version of the X43A already developed by AAC. This work
will lay groundwork for a Phase II effort to test adaptive controller designs
for the X43A, to develop a supersonic version of the vehicle, to develop an
integrated health monitoring system for the vehicle's small-scale turbine
engine, and to explore application of AAC's high-compression video recording
technology.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The vehicle design and telemetry
system will be a key part of hypersonic as well as commercial aircraft in the
future. Therefore, the technology from the X-43A-LS will have a commercial use.
Accurate Automation designed and supplied the X-43A data collection subsystem.
The IVHS would be used on all space vehicles and for commercial aircraft in
FOOQA systems. Accurate Automation is working with Rolls Royce and is talking
with American and United Airlines for non engine related areas.
The area of
hypersonics will be a Billion Dollar industry within 20 years. The X43ALS is a
key componen for the development of reusable hypersonic systems.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (Name,
Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Christopher S. Gibson
Accurate Automation Corporation
7001 Shallowford Road
Chattanooga ,
TN 37421 - 1716
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR (Firm Name, Mail Address,
City/State/Zip)
Accurate Automation Corporation
7001 Shallowford
Road
Chattanooga , TN 37421 - 1716