DYNAMIC STABILITY AND CONTROL PROBLEMS OF PILOTED REENTRY FROM LUNAR MISSIONS
Abstract
A fixed-base simulator investigation was made of stability and control problems during piloted reentry from lunar missions. Reentries were made within constraints of acceleration and skipping, in which the pilot was given simulated navigation tasks of altitude and heading angle commands. Vehicles included a blunt-face, highdrag capsule, and a low-drag lifting cone. Each had a trim lift-drag ratio of 0.5. With the provision of three-axis automatic damping, both vehicles were easily controlled through reentry after a brief pilot-training period. With all dampers out, safe reentries could be made and both vehicles were rated satisfactory for emergency operation. In damper-failure conditions resulting in inadequate Dutch roll damping, the lifting-cone vehicle exhibited control problems due to excessive dihedral effect and oscillatory acceleration effects. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0266832
Entities
People
- Albert A. Schy
- James L. Williams
- Martin T. Moul
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration