The performance of an Inductively Driven Liner Compression (IDLC) driver system for the Fusion Driven Rocket (FDR) application is optimized in this study by performing a parametric analysis of the IDLC driver configurations. The FDR is a novel concept developed by MSNW LLC, which directly converts fusion energy into propulsive ...

Two air safety tools are developed in the context of the FAA’s NextGen program. The first tool addresses the alarming increase in the frequency of near-collisions between manned and unmanned aircraft by equipping a common hobby class UAV with an ADS-B transponder that broadcasts its position, speed, heading and unique ...

In this study, we investigate the enhancement of mechanical properties that shallow bi-angle, thin-ply laminates bring to fiber reinforced polymer composites. Coupon- and structural-level tests are conducted along with numerical simulations. According to the coupon tests, we find that shallow bi-angle fibers and thin plies ...

Mochi.Labjet is a new experiment at the University of Washington developed to investigate the interaction of shear flows in plasma jets with boundary conditions similar to an accretion disc system. This thesis details the engineering design and first plasmas of the Mochi.Labjet experiment. The experiment required construction ...

A Continuous Rotating Detonation Engine (CRDE) was tested with two unique features. First, the conventional pre-detonator was replaced by a novel detonation wave generator. This generator sequentially fired spark plugs at a speed near the acoustic speed of a reactant gas mixture thereby producing free radicals ready to partake ...

The baffled-tube ram accelerator is an innovation in hypervelocity launch technology that allows the acceleration of axisymmetric projectiles in the velocity range of 500 to 3000 meters per second. This device has the potential to double the thrust performance of the conventional smooth-bore ram accelerator while reducing its ...

Hydroxylammonium nitrate-based (HAN-based) monopropellant is being investigated as an alternative to hydrazine due to its lower inherit hazard of handling and higher energy density. It is hypothesized the light-off temperature and corresponding preheat power required for microthrusters using HAN-based monopropellants decrease ...

The aerospace industry is a constantly evolving field with corporate manufacturers continually utilizing innovative processes and materials. These materials include advanced metallics and composite systems. The exploration and implementation of new materials and structures has prompted the development of numerous structural ...

Current ground automation tools for Optimal Profile Descent (OPD) procedures utilize path stretching and speed profile change to maintain proper merging and spacing requirements at high traffic terminal area. However, low predictability of aircraft's vertical profile and path deviation during decent add uncertainty to computing ...

Landing of a payload on any celestial body has only used a soft landing system. These systems use retro rockets and atmospheric components to match velocity and then overcome local gravity in order to land on the surface. This is a proposed system for depositing instrumentation on an icy surface at hypervelocity using the ...