Pitching analysis of a water landing space module in a post-splashdown water landing

Abstract

The dynamic response of the Water Landing Space Module (WLSM) during a post-splashdown situation was investigated. The research was accomplished through the use of physical experimentation, analytical techniques and computer simulated tests. A 115th scale model of a WLSM was constructed for use in the research. Results show the flotation and stabilization aid requirements for a WLSM. These results will aid in the design of a WLSM. To stabilize the WLSM it is necessary to dampen the pitch and roll. Initial stabilization tests were performed under one CG and mass moment configuration at the 0. H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory at Oregon State University. At the University of Central Florida the natural static stability of the model was determined for various CG's and moments of inertia. In both tests the model was equipped with flotation/stabilization aids in the form of spheres attached around the water line. Stability was examined experimentally under static conditions in a variety of test configurations. * Model with no spheres attached (clean model). * Model with spheres attached at the water line. * Model in off-nominal condition with some spheres absent. Through experimentation the clean model was compared to the other configurations. The data collected was analyzed to determine the ability of such attachments to aid in the stabilization of the model in the post splashdown environment. The static testing generated the natural frequencies of the model under the different configurations. The static data was then applied to the free and forced equations of motion for the model. Data and information obtained from testing established trends for different model configurations. Pitch oscillations increased as the CG was offset horizontally, and pitch oscillations increased, but not as significantly, with an increasing vertical CG offset. The maximum vertical and horizontal CG positions generated the highest pitch oscillations, but these oscillations were smaller than the wave form. The application of attitude spheres reduced the pitch oscillations for all configurations. The attitude spheres also changed the natural frequency of the model. These results demonstrate that spheres can be used to avoid resonance at sea states with frequencies close to the resonance frequency of the model. Model results can be scaled up to correspond with the full scale WLSM. Thus, results from the experiments can be incorporated into the design considerations of the full scale WLSM.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1992

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Anderson, Loren A.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Engineering

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Program

Mechanical Engineering

Format

PDF

Pages

74 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0029794

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Engineering; Engineering -- Dissertations, Academic

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