ROLL STABILIZATION TEST OF STV-2 NO. 27,
Abstract
The unit was equipped with the APL 400-cycle system for stabilizing in roll about the longitudinal axis. The STV-2 configuration is such that the roll control surfaces used (called 'rollerons') produce 'reverse' roll, that is, roll in a direction opposite to that originally expected. The roll stabilization system was adjusted accordingly. The telemetering record shows that the missile roll angle did not exceed 30 degrees in either direction during the first eight seconds of flight, but indications that this may have been due to the action of the roll control servo are not conclusive. There was noticeable in this flight, as there has been in almost all of the STV-2 flights, the effect of a progressively increasing aerodynamic misalignment of unknown origin, which eventually caused the missile to roll continuously clockwise, as viewed from the rear, despite the action of the servo. The servo system appears to have operated properly throughout the flight, indicating that it is of sufficiently rugged construction to withstand the yet unknown launching accelerations of 25-30 g's. Previous tests of STV-2's with programmed rolleron movements have shown that, although the roll torque due to rolleron deflection is smaller than was originally predicted and is in the reverse direction, the torque developed should be sufficient for roll stabilization for at least some seconds after separation. In this particular test, however, the rollerons, for some reason still unknown, appear to have been almost completely ineffective in controlling the roll of the STV-2.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 1947
- Accession Number
- AD0659103
Entities
People
- G. C. Munro
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory