SANS Research Group Department Activities Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Science University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Dave Schmidt Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering March 2006

SANS Research Group MAE Department Overview Department Established January, Faculty: 6 TT, 2 NTT, 1-2 new next Fall Enrollment: ~ 150 UG, ~ 100 Grad Students Aerospace Degrees Offered: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Minor M.S. in Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Focus PhD in Engineering - Aerospace Focus _________________________________________ Master of Engineering - Space Operations (distance program)

SANS Research Group Introduction to Key MAE Research Faculty Julie Albertson, PhD. Former member of USAFA Faculty - Aerodynamics Jason Roney. PhD, Cal Davis - Atmospheric Modeling Ken Saunders, PhD Michigan, Former member of Faculties of RPI and Penn State Universities - Systems Dynamics and Control Dave Schmidt, PhD Purdue, Former member of Faculties of ASU, Maryland, and Purdue Universities - Aerospace Vehicle Dynamics, Guidance, and Control; Systems Optimization Jim Stevens, PhD BYU, Former Member of Faculty of Mississippi State University - Energy Systems and Energy Conversion Steve Tragesser, PhD Purdue, Former Member of Faculty of AFIT - Aerospace Vehicle Dynamics; Systems

SANS Research Group Research Highlights Two areas of focus today: “Near Space” Aerodynamics Wind Modeling Station Keeping Performance, Dynamics & Control Energy (Power) Analysis Student UAV Project Autonomous Guidance & Navigation

SANS Research Group Where/What Is Near-Space? 37,160 km 21,000 km 100 – 1000 km GEO MEO LEO Space SATCOM GPS Iridium Air Surface 20 km Near-Space 20 km (60,000 ft) 100 km (327,000 ft)

SANS Research Group Why Near Space? Persistent (24/7) Communication and/or Surveillance Platform

SANS Research Group Wind Modeling for Near Space Possible “Sweet Spots” STATISTICS: Year 2004 Height Variation: White Sands (EPZ) and Akron (PIT)

SANS Research Group Notional Airship Investigated Vehicle Characteristics: Volume = 6.1x10 6 ft 3 Length = 450 ft Width = 100 ft W OEW = 30,000 lbs Solar electric powered Payload Power = 3 kW (HAA) Performance Req’m’ts: Operating Altitude - 65,000 ft < 2 km error - Prob. 0.5 < 150 km error - Prob. 0.95

SANS Research Group Aerodynamic Drag Modeling UCCS Low-Speed Tunnel Lift-Drag Force Measurements Body geometry L/D = 3.9 Re L = 1.3 x 10 5 (Low) Turbulent Grid Needed M max = (50 fps, 30 kts)) Area = projected frontal area Drag Model Required Propulsive Thrust Drag = C D (1/2  V 2 )A ref C D - Empirically & Experimentally Verified Airship Model in Tunnel Test Section

SANS Research Group Station Keeping Objective Desired Position (Looking From Above) Steady Wind, U 0 Plus u and v Gusts u g v g Y X YY XX Position Error -  X,  Y Objective: Drive Position Error To Zero, In Presence Of Wind Gusts

SANS Research Group Station-Keeping Guidance Desired Position Inertial Position Inertial Velocity Controls- Thrust & Fin Defl. Vehicle Dynamics - Representative Large Airship Modeled at 65,000 ft. Attitude Controller and Guidance Algorithms (GPS-based) Allows for assessment of maneuvering-power required Vehicle Dynamics Attitude Controller Kinematics Guidance Algorithm - - Wind Gusts (turbulence)

SANS Research Group Pulling it All Together Integrated Platform Analysis Wind Statistics and Probability Distributions Aerodynamic Drag Models Solar Geometric Effects Vehicle geometry - large airship Geo latitude Diurnal and seasonal effects Energy-Subsystem Efficiencies Maneuvering Power Requirements Power Available Versus Power Required

SANS Research Group Student UAV Project