For the upcoming formation flying technology demonstration mission NetSat a relative orbit propagator as well as a relative orbit controller were developed. The formation will consist of four equal nano-satellites with an electric propulsion system for orbit correction manoeuvres. This demands the use of continuous low-thrust models for relative orbit control, which is a novel field. A software framework was developed which allows orbit simulations of the whole fleet in a fully non-linear environment. The final on-board relative propagator is based on the Gim-Alfriend STM and incorporates eccentricity and the non-spherical shape of the Earth. The controller uses control Lyapunov function-based design and model predictive control, depending on the task. The guidance and control system is able to safely govern the relative motion for one-, two and three-dimensional formation configurations with inter-satellite distances as low as 50m. Based on these results, a complete mission plan is proposed.

Depuis le lancement du premier satellite Spoutnik 1 en 1957, l’environnement spatial est de plus en plus utilisé et le nombre de débris orbitaux se multiplie naturellement, soit par des explosions, des collisions ou tout simplement par les opérations normales des satellites. Au-delà d'un certain seuil, la densité des débris orbitaux risque de créer une réaction en chaîne incontrôlée : l’effet Kessler. L’élimination des débris orbitaux en basse altitude permettrait de limiter cette réaction et ainsi de préserver l’environnement spatial afin de pouvoir l’utiliser de façon sécuritaire. L’élimination des débris orbitaux est une opération complexe et coûteuse. Elle consiste à déplacer des objets spatiaux inactifs vers une orbite basse pour mener à leur désintégration dans la basse atmosphère terrestre. En utilisant les perturbations orbitales, il est possible de réduire le coût du carburant requis pour effectuer les manœuvres orbitales nécessaires à l’élimination de ces débris. L'objectif principal de cette étude consiste à développer une procédure et une stratégie de commande autonome afin de modifier l'orbite des satellites non opérationnels (débris) pour mener à leur désintégration naturelle tout en optimisant les facteurs carburant et temps. Pour ce faire, un modèle d’atmosphère basé sur le modèle de Jacchia (1977) est développé. Un modèle de la dynamique du satellite inclut aussi les perturbations principales, soit : traînée atmosphérique, non sphéricité et distribution non uniforme de la masse de la Terre. Ces modèles ainsi qu'un algorithme de commande optimale pour un propulseur électrique sont développés et le tout est validé par simulations numériques sur Matlab/Simulink. Au terme de cette étude, les conditions optimales dans lesquelles il faut laisser un débris afin qu'il se désintègre dans la basse atmosphère de la Terre en quelques semaines seront données (type d'orbite : altitude, inclinaison, etc.) ainsi que le coût en carburant pour une telle mission. Cette étude permettra de prouver qu'il est possible de réaliser des missions d'élimination des débris orbitaux tout en réduisant les coûts associés aux manœuvres orbitales par l'utilisation des perturbations naturelles de l'environnement.

Motility of flagellated bacteria has been a topic of increasing scientific interest over the past decades, attracting the attention of mathematicians, physicists, biologists and engineers alike. Bacteria and other micro-organisms cause substantial damage through biofilm growth on submerged interfaces in water cooling systems, ship hulls and medical implants. This gives social and economic motivations for learning about how micro-organisms swim and behave in different environments. Fluid flows on such small scales are dominated by viscosity and therefore behave differently from the inertia-dominated flows that we are more familiar with, making bacterial motility a physically intriguing phenomenon to study as well. We use the boundary element method (BEM) to simulate the motion of singly flagellated bacteria in a viscous, Newtonian fluid. One of our main objectives is to investigate the influence of external surfaces on swimming behaviour. We show that the precise shape of the cell body and flagellum can be important for determining boundary behaviour, in particular, whether bacteria are attracted or repelled from surfaces. Furthermore, we investigate the types of motion that may arise between two parallel plates and in rectangular channels of fluid and show how these relate to the plane boundary interactions. As an extension to original models of flagellar propulsion in bacteria that assume a rotation of the rigid helical flagellum about an axis fixed relative to the cell body, we consider flexibility of the bacterial hook connecting the aforementioned parts of the swimmer. This is motivated by evidence that the hook is much more flexible than the rest of the flagellum, which we therefore treat as a rigid structure. Elastic dynamics of the hook are modelled using the equations for a Kirchhoff rod. In some regimes, the dynamics are well described by a rigid hook model but we find the possibility of additional modes of behaviour.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / The geometric characteristics of flapping-wing propulsion are studied experimentally through the use of a force balance and a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) system. The system used is built to duplicate the propulsion system currently on the flying model of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) MAV model. Experiments are carried out in a low speed wind tunnel to determine the effects of mean separation and plunge amplitude on the flapping wing propulsion system. Additionally, the effects of flapping-wing shape, flapping frequency, and MAV angle of attack (AOA) are also investigated. Some flow visualization is also performed. The intent is to optimize the system so that payload and controllability improvements can be made to the NPS MAV. / Ensign, United States Naval Reserve

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This thesis explores using a direct pseudospectral method for the solution of optimal control problems with mixed dynamics. An easy to use MATLAB optimization package known as DIDO is used to obtain the solutions. The modeling of both low thrust interplanetary trajectories as well as aerocapture trajectories is detailed and the solutions for low thrust minimum time and minimum fuel trajectories are explored with particular emphasis on verification of the optimality of the obtained solution. Optimal aerocpature trajectories are solved for rotating atmospheres over a range of arrival Vinfinities. Solutions are obtained using various performance indexes including minimum fuel, minimum heat load, and minimum total aerocapture mass. Finally, the problem formulation and solutions for the mixed dynamic problem of low thrust trajectories with a terminal aerocapture maneuver is addressed yielding new trajectories maximizing the total scientific mass at arrival. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de materiais catalíticos à base de óxidos mistos, de baixo custo, para serem empregados como catalisadores mássicos, na decomposição do peróxido de hidrogênio 90%, em massa, possibilitando múltiplas partidas a frio em um micropropulsor de satélites a monopropelente. Foram utilizados diferentes métodos de síntese de óxidos mistos com altos teores de manganês e cobalto. Os materiais foram avaliados, preliminarmente, na decomposição espontânea do peróxido de hidrogênio em bancada (teste da gota). Em seguida, os catalisadores com melhores desempenhos foram selecionados e testados em um micropropulsor de 2N, onde foram monitorados o empuxo, a pressão e a temperatura da câmara do propulsor. Todos os catalisadores foram caracterizados por Adsorção de Nitrogênio, Termogravimetria, Espectroscopia Fotoeletrônica de Raios-X, Difratometria de Raios-X e Resistência Mecânica à Compressão Radial, visando correlacionar suas propriedades físico-químicas com suas atividades na decomposição catalítica do peróxido de hidrogênio concentrado. Os catalisadores denominados MnAl2 e Co4MnAl, sintetizados pelo método da co-precipitação em solução aquosa, foram aqueles que apresentaram os melhores resultados, sendo capazes de decompor espontaneamente o H2O2 sem sofrer desativação ou fragmentação após os testes. / This work aimed to develop mixed oxides, at low cost, to be used as catalysts in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, 90% by weight, allowing multiple starts in a microthruster of monopropellant satellites. Different synthesis methods of mixed oxides with high levels of manganese and cobalt oxides were employed. The materials were evaluated, preliminarily, in the spontaneous decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (drop test). Then, the best performing catalysts were selected and tested in a 2N microthruster, where the thrust, the pressure, and temperature in the chamber was monitored. All catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, thermogravimetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Mechanical Strength Radial Compression , aiming to correlate their physicochemical properties with their activity in the catalytic decomposition of concentrated hydrogen peroxide.The catalysts called MnAl2 and Co4MnAl, synthesized by co-precipitation in aqueous solution, were those that showed the best results, being able to spontaneously decompose H2O2 without undergoing deactivation or fragmentation after testing.

A magnetohidrodinâmica, ou simplesmente MHD, é um campo da ciência que estuda os movimentos de fluidos condutores submetidos a forças eletromagnéticas e une conceitos da fluidodinâmica e eletromagnetismo. Nos últimos anos, a MHD vem sendo aplicada em diversas áreas tecnológicas, desde a propulsão eletromagnética até dispositivos biológicos. Neste trabalho, são mostradas a construção e a operação de um dispositivo MHD, um canal retangular preenchido com um fluido eletrolítico conhecido como macrobomba, isento de partes mecânicas móveis. Os imãs geram um campo magnético externo e os eletrodos criam um campo elétrico, perpendicular ao escoamento, que move o fluido. O modelo MHD é calculado a partir das equações de Navier Stokes acopladas às equações de Maxwell para um fluido incompressível newtoniano. As forças eletromagnéticas que surgem resultam do produto vetorial da densidade de corrente e da densidade de fluxo magnético - essa é a força de Lorentz. Os resultados são apresentados em simulações 3D numéricas, assim como em dados experimentais. O objetivo é relacionar o campo magnético com o elétrico e com a quantidade de movimento produzida, e calcular a densidade de corrente e o perfil de pressão e de velocidade. Um perfil U e M de pressões e velocidades é esperado no experimento. Dados experimentais e computacionais são comparados para validação e posterior uso para futuros trabalhos. / Magnetohydrodynamics or simply (MHD) is a field of science that studies the movement of conductive fluids subjected to electromagnetic forces. Such a phenomenon brings together concepts of fluid dynamics and electromagnetism. Over the years, MHD has been encountered in a wide area of technological applications electromagnetic propulsion to biological devices. The present work didactically shows the construction (materials and equipment) and operation of an MHD device; a rectangular closed circuit filled with an electrolyte fluid, known as macro pumps, where a permanent magnet generates a magnetic field and electrodes generate the electric field, perpendicular to the flow, moving the fluid. The MHD model has been derived from the Navier-Stokes equation and coupled with the Maxwell equations for Newtonian incompressible fluid. Electric and magnetic components engaged in the test chamber assist in creating the propulsion of the electrolyte fluid. The electromagnetic forces that arise are due to the cross product between the vector density of current and the vector density of magnetic field applied. This is the Lorentz force. Results are present of 3D numerical MHD simulation for Newtonian fluid as well as experimental data. The goal is to relate the magnetic field with the electric field and the amounts of movement produced, and calculate de current density and fluid´s pressure and velocity. An u-shaped and m-shaped velocity and pressure profiles are expected in the experiment. Computational and experimental data are compared for validation and future analysis.

O trabalho mostra os resultados de uma série de medições de desempenho propulsivo de um comboio no rio Araguaia, constituído de um empurrador bihélice de potência instalada de 448kW e duas chatas de 530 t de deslocamento cada. O empurrador teve, durante o período de medições, dois tipos de propulsores diferentes: da série B-Troost, mais convencional, e da série Kaplan em dutos. Os resultados de escala real foram analisados fazendo uso, inclusive, de resultados com modelos em tanques de provas, com o objetivo de descobrir os problemas e identificar os melhores procedimentos para o projeto de hélices de embarcações fluviais de cargas. Levando em consideração as características operacionais com alto carregamento das pás dos hélice fluviais, foi proposto um tratamento diferenciado daquele tradicionalmente aplicado em hélices de embarcações marítimas convencionais. Ao final, foi verificado que existem métodos adequados de estimativas de resistências ao avanço de comboios fluviais, mas que existem problemas nas estimativas dos coeficientes propulsivos, o que influencia decisivamente a qualidade dos projetos dos hélices fluviais. Com relação à geometria das pás dos hélices, concluiu-se que os hélices fluviais devem apresentar, em termos gerais, pequenos diâmetros, grandes razões de áreas expandidas, pás mais espessas, especialmente nas pontas, simetria do contorno das pás e ausência de caimento. As análises mostraram, também, as vantagens da utilização de hélices em dutos, assim como constataram que as séries sistemáticas de hélices podem ser utilizadas com pleno êxito em projetos de hélices de embarcações fluviais. / This work shows the results of a series of measurements of propulsive performance of a push-tow in the Araguaia river, with a 448kW twin-screw pusher and two 530t barges. During the measurements the pusher was fitted with two different types of propellers: firstly with a more conventional B-Troost one and later with a Kaplan ducted propeller. The full scale results were analyzed by using results of towing tank tests in order to find out the problems and identify the best procedures for the design of propellers of inland vessels. Taking into consideration the operational characteristics of heavily loaded blades of inland vessel propellers, it has been proposed a differentiated treatment compared to that usually applied on conventional marine propellers. At the end, it was verified that there exist good methods of estimating push-tow resistances, but there are problems in estimating the propulsive coefficients, and these influence decisively the quality of inland propeller design. Regarding the blades geometry of the propeller, it was concluded that inland propellers should have small diameters, great expanded area ratios, thicker blade sections, especially in the tips, no skew and no rake. The analysis showed, also, the advantages of the ducted-propellers in inland vessels, as well as it verified that the propeller systematical series can be used successfully for the selection of such propellers.

This thesis analyses the behavior of an induction motor based on a mathematical model created for its simulation. The model describes the interaction of its several non linear differential equations to present a simulated output of induced torque and mechanical speed. Considering the applications to marine propulsion, it is also the goal of the project to design and test a control system for the speed of the motor by maintaining a specific cruse speed regardless the perturbations. / by Camilo Carlos Roa. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de materiais catalíticos à base de óxidos mistos, de baixo custo, para serem empregados como catalisadores mássicos, na decomposição do peróxido de hidrogênio 90%, em massa, possibilitando múltiplas partidas a frio em um micropropulsor de satélites a monopropelente. Foram utilizados diferentes métodos de síntese de óxidos mistos com altos teores de manganês e cobalto. Os materiais foram avaliados, preliminarmente, na decomposição espontânea do peróxido de hidrogênio em bancada (teste da gota). Em seguida, os catalisadores com melhores desempenhos foram selecionados e testados em um micropropulsor de 2N, onde foram monitorados o empuxo, a pressão e a temperatura da câmara do propulsor. Todos os catalisadores foram caracterizados por Adsorção de Nitrogênio, Termogravimetria, Espectroscopia Fotoeletrônica de Raios-X, Difratometria de Raios-X e Resistência Mecânica à Compressão Radial, visando correlacionar suas propriedades físico-químicas com suas atividades na decomposição catalítica do peróxido de hidrogênio concentrado. Os catalisadores denominados MnAl2 e Co4MnAl, sintetizados pelo método da co-precipitação em solução aquosa, foram aqueles que apresentaram os melhores resultados, sendo capazes de decompor espontaneamente o H2O2 sem sofrer desativação ou fragmentação após os testes. / This work aimed to develop mixed oxides, at low cost, to be used as catalysts in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, 90% by weight, allowing multiple starts in a microthruster of monopropellant satellites. Different synthesis methods of mixed oxides with high levels of manganese and cobalt oxides were employed. The materials were evaluated, preliminarily, in the spontaneous decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (drop test). Then, the best performing catalysts were selected and tested in a 2N microthruster, where the thrust, the pressure, and temperature in the chamber was monitored. All catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, thermogravimetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Mechanical Strength Radial Compression , aiming to correlate their physicochemical properties with their activity in the catalytic decomposition of concentrated hydrogen peroxide.The catalysts called MnAl2 and Co4MnAl, synthesized by co-precipitation in aqueous solution, were those that showed the best results, being able to spontaneously decompose H2O2 without undergoing deactivation or fragmentation after testing.