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2011 Ground Testing Highlights ArticleTwo tests supporting development of the launch abort system for the Orion MultiPurpose Crew Vehicle were run in the NASA Ames Unitary Plan wind tunnel last year. The first test used a fully metric model to examine the stability and controllability of the Launch Abort Vehicle during potential abort scenarios for Mach numbers ranging from 0.3 to 2.5. The aerodynamic effects of the Abort Motor and Attitude Control Motor plumes were simulated using high-pressure air flowing through independent paths. The aerodynamic effects of the proximity to the launch vehicle during the early moments of an abort were simulated with a remotely actuated Service Module that allowed the position relative to the Crew Module to be varied appropriately. The second test simulated the acoustic environment around the Launch Abort Vehicle caused by the plumes from the 400,000-pound thrust, solid-fueled Abort Motor. To obtain the proper acoustic characteristics of the hot rocket plumes for the flight vehicle, heated Helium was used. A custom Helium supply system was developed for the test consisting of 2 jumbo high-pressure Helium trailers, a twelve-tube accumulator, and a 13MW gas-fired heater borrowed from the Propulsion Simulation Laboratory at NASA Glenn Research Center. The test provided fluctuating surface pressure measurements at over 200 points on the vehicle surface that have now been used to define the ground-testing requirements for the Orion Launch Abort Vehicle.
Document ID
20120006602
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Ross, James C. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Buchholz, Steven J. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
December 31, 2011
Subject Category
Launch Vehicles And Launch Operations
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN4104
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 122711.03.07.01.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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