This research proposes to adapt the concept of trajectory shaping guidance law on a quadrotor to follow several different predefined, compact paths. Keeping the real world nonlinearities, sensor and process noise in mind, the technique is simulated using MATLAB-Simulink. This guidance concept is implemented on a real, custom built quadrotor for which a new testing platform was developed from the ground up. Also, the results obtained from the trajectory shaping concept are compared to the performance characteristics of another path following concept called differential flatness. In addition to this, root mean square of position error data is used to compare the vehicle convergence to the desired trajectory.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas A&M University, 2006. / "Major Subject: Aerospace Engineering" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Feb. 23, 2007.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

A bio-derived fuel, lard, was successfully tested using a laboratory scale hybrid rocket motor and a static test stand at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The experimental setup used gaseous oxygen as the oxidizer. Twenty-three experimental tests were successfully conducted with lard and oxygen. The nine-inch fuel grains used in the current investigation produced a measured thrust ranging from 70-145 Newtons (15-33 pounds) with calculated specific impulses ranging from 122-181 seconds. All the tests conducted were intensely fuel rich, and had equivalence ratios ranging from 0.2 to 0.45. The low equivalence ratios are partially due to unburned fuel particles that exit the nozzle. The tests conducted have shown that the regression rate of the lard was higher than that of other fuels, such as HTPB (hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene), used in hybrid rocket motors. Lard has produced results similar to those obtained by researchers at Stanford University using paraffin. This investigation has provided sufficient evidence to indicate that lard merits further study as a fuel for hybrid rocket motors.

Thesis (M. S.)--Texas A&M University, 2005. / "Major Subject: Aerospace Engineering" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Sep. 15, 2006.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas A&M University, 2005. / "Major Subject: Aerospace Engineering" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Sep. 15, 2006.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. S.)--Texas A&M University, 2006. / "Major Subject: Aerospace Engineering" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Feb. 23, 2007.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oklahoma State University, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. S.)--Oklahoma State University, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. S.)--Oklahoma State University, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oklahoma State University, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.