A seven degree-of-freedom (7DOF) dynamic model was developed to provide insight into the flight behavior of Type 200 and other related lightcraft, and to serve as a research tool for developing future engine-vehicle configurations for laser launching of nanosatellites . Accurate engine, beam, and aerodynamics models are included to improve the predictive capability of the 7DOF code. The aerodynamic forces of lift, drag, and aerodynamic pitching moment were derived from FLUENT® computational fluid dynamics predictions, and calibrated against limited existing wind tunnel data. To facilitate 7DOF model validation, simulation results are compared with video analysis of actual flights under comparable conditions. Despite current limitations of the 7DOF model, the results compared well with experimental flight trajectory data.
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October 2009
Research Papers
Flight Dynamics and Simulation of Laser Propelled Lightcraft
Kurt S. Anderson,
Kurt S. Anderson
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: anderk5@oceania.edu
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
, Troy, NY 12180
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Leik Myrabo
Leik Myrabo
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: myrabl@rpi.edu
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
, Troy, NY 12180
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Christopher G. Ballard
Kurt S. Anderson
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
, Troy, NY 12180e-mail: anderk5@oceania.edu
Leik Myrabo
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
, Troy, NY 12180e-mail: myrabl@rpi.edu
J. Comput. Nonlinear Dynam. Oct 2009, 4(4): 041005 (8 pages)
Published Online: August 24, 2009
Article history
Received:
December 19, 2007
Revised:
September 3, 2008
Published:
August 24, 2009
Citation
Ballard, C. G., Anderson, K. S., and Myrabo, L. (August 24, 2009). "Flight Dynamics and Simulation of Laser Propelled Lightcraft." ASME. J. Comput. Nonlinear Dynam. October 2009; 4(4): 041005. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3187214
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