NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

to analyze model with the dense mesh near all edges. In the present study, the dense mesh is limited to the surface on the end
of the axial sections.
Author
Wind Tunnel Apparatus; Nonlinearity; Finite Element Method; Balance; Computer Programs; Stress Analysis; Structural
Analysis
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LAUNCH VEHICLES AND LAUNCH OPERATIONS
Includes all classes of launch vehicles, launch/space vehicle systems, and boosters; and launch operations. For related information see
also 18 Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance; and 20 Spacecraft Propulsion and Power.
20040068302 Swedish Defence Research Establishment, Linkoeping
SAR/GMTI Ground Moving Target Indication
Kjellgren, J.; Oct. 2003; In Swedish
Report No.(s): PB2004-104546; FOI-R-0973-SE; No Copyright; Avail: National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
The aim of this study is to support the modeling of the radar function when simulating systems at higher levels. Especially
it deals with monostatic synthetic aperture radar for ‘Ground Moving Target Indication’ (GMTI). The study comprises a short
introduction to airborne MTI and especially SAR with DPCA (Displaced Phase Center Antennas) and further there are some
estimations regarding the maximum coherency time when limited by linear and rotational movements of a target. Also there
are some aspects on application modes and approximate expressions for some performance parameters limited by the
measurement geometry. The financial source has mainly been the project NFFP-427 (E7779) from the Swedish Defense
Material Administration.
NTIS
Synthetic Aperture Radar; Moving Target Indicators; Targets
20040070707 NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA
Modeling and Simulation of Shuttle Launch and Range Operations
Bardina, Jorge; Thirumalainambi, Rajkumar; [2004]; 7 pp.; In English; ESM 2004: 18th European Simulation Multi
Conference, Magdeburg, Germany; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
The simulation and modeling test bed is based on a mockup of a space flight operations control suitable to experiment
physical, procedural, software, hardware and psychological aspects of space flight operations. The test bed consists of a
weather expert system to advise on the effect of weather to the launch operations. It also simulates toxic gas dispersion model,
impact of human health risk, debris dispersion model in 3D visualization. Since all modeling and simulation is based on the
internet, it could reduce the cost of operations of launch and range safety by conducting extensive research before a particular
launch. Each model has an independent decision making module to derive the best decision for launch.
Author
Spacecraft Launching; Computerized Simulation; Mathematical Models; Space Flight; Flight Operations
20040070786 American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, VA, USA
Changing the Low-Cost Launch Game
Croft, John; Aerospace America; February 2004; ISSN 0740-722X; Volume 42, No. 2, pp. 39-43; In English; Copyright;
Avail: Other Sources
Elon Musk does not want to leave the planet; he just wants to make the trip more affordable and reliable for those who
do, and make a profit in the process. His lofty ambitions could come one step closer to fruition in March, when his company,
Los Angeles-based Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, attempts to launch its first rocket, a 70-ft-long two-stage
liquid-fueled ship called the Falcon. If Musk can claim success - recovering his first stage and putting the U.S. military payload
into the correct circular low-Earth orbit after a Vandenberg launch - the company will have set a new low in cost-per-pound
to LEO for a commercial venture. Such a reduction will be necessary for any viable future civilian endeavors in space, manned
or unmanned. Musk’s Falcon, priced at $6 million, can deliver a maximum of 1,400 lb to a 200-km circular orbit at launch
site inclination, yielding a $4,000/lb-to-orbit cost. The entrepreneur notes that the nearest U.S. competitor in this booster class
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