Engineering Studies into Vertical Lift Planetary Aerial Vehicles

Abstract

NASA Ames Research Center has been investigating various rotary-wing aeromechanics and proof-of-concept issues underlying the development of vertical lift aerial vehicles for planetary science missions. These engineering studies include: hover performance measurements of an isolated rotor in simulated Mars surface atmospheric conditions; radio-controlled coaxial helicopter flight tests supporting the investigation of Mars rotorcraft technologies; small-scale unducted- and ducted-fan hover tests that provide insight into possible VTOL aircraft for exploration of Titan; hybrid airship proof-of-concept testing that illustrates flight control and forward flight performance issues inherent in airships designed for flight in the atmosphere of Venus.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA526879

Entities

People

  • Edwin W. Aiken
  • J. Andrews
  • J. F. Klem
  • J. L. Johnson
  • J. Navarrete
  • Larry A. Young
  • M. R. Derby
  • R. Demblewski
  • R. Torres

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Atmospheric Density
  • Chemistry
  • Control Systems
  • Electric Motors
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Engineering
  • Fuel Cells
  • Mach Number
  • Measurement
  • Momentum
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Solar System
  • Test Facilities
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.