Agencja Kosmiczna testuje nowatorską metodę pomiaru pojedynczych uszkodzeń X-59.
Read this story in English here.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to evaluate advancements in a tool designed to measure individual "impacts" created by its supersonic reconnaissance aircraft, the X-59, during flight.
A shock detection probe is a specially designed air data probe with a conical shape, developed to capture the unique shock waves generated by the X-59. Researchers at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, have developed two versions of this probe to gather precise pressure data during flight. One probe is tailored for close-range applications, capturing pulses produced near where the X-59 generates its sonic event. The other shock sensing device measures the central field and records data at altitudes between 5,000 and 20,000 feet above the ground.
When the aircraft travels at supersonic speeds, it creates shockwaves that propagate through the surrounding air, resulting in audible sonic booms. The X-59 has been optimized to minimize these disturbances, reducing loud sonic events to more muted sounds. During test flights, an F-15B equipped with the shock detection probe will launch alongside the X-59. The sensor, which is approximately 1.80 meters (6 feet) long, continuously collects miles of pressure measurements per second, documenting air pressure changes during its flight through strategically placed openings. The data obtained will be crucial for verifying computational models predicting the shock strength produced by the X-59, a central aspect of NASA's Quesst mission.
"A shock detection probe functions as a truth source, comparing predicted data with real-world measurements," said Mike Frederick, principal investigator for the NASA probe.
While landing in close proximity, the F-15B will fly near the X-59 at a cruising altitude of approximately 18,000 meters (55,000 feet), utilizing a "follow-the-leader" formation that allows researchers to analyze shocks in real-time. The central probe, intended for separate missions, gathers data that becomes increasingly beneficial as captured data shifts closer to the Earth's surface.
The capability of the probes to detect minor changes in pressure is particularly essential for the X-59 since its sonic disturbances are expected to be significantly less intense than most supersonic aircraft. By contrasting sensor data with forecasts from advanced computational models, researchers can evaluate them with greater accuracy.
"The probe features five pressure sensing points: one at the tip and four near the cone," explains Frederick. "These ports measure static pressure changes as the aircraft maneuvers through shock waves, providing insights into the shock characteristics of a specific aircraft." These devices integrate measurements to calculate local air pressure, velocity, and flow direction.
Researchers will soon assess enhancements to the shock detection probes in a testing environment as the probe on the F-15B records data from a second F-15 during its supersonic flight. These updates involve placing pressure transducers?devices that alleviate cabin air pressure?barely 5 centimeters from the openings. Previous configurations positioned the transducers about 3 meters away, which extended measurement times and disrupted data accuracy.
The sensitivity to temperature fluctuations in earlier devices also posed challenges, as it led to inconsistencies in precision under changing conditions. To address this issue, the team engineered a cooling system to maintain constant temperatures for the pressure transducers during flight.
"The probe meets the resolution and accuracy criteria for the Quesst mission," Frederick affirmed. "This project illustrates how NASA can leverage existing technologies and adapt them to meet new challenges."
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