November 2014
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration Volume 56 Number 7 November 2014 ACTE takes flight New flap may validate new technologies By Peter Merlin NASA Armstrong Public Affairs NASA’s green aviation project is one step closer to developing technology that could make future airliners quieter and more fuel- efficient with the successful flight test of a wing surface that can change shape in flight. This past summer researchers replaced an airplane’s conventional aluminum flaps with advanced, shape-changing assemblies that form seamless bendable and twistable surfaces. Flight testing will determine whether flexible trailing- ED14-0338-081 NASA/Ken Ulbrich edge wing flaps are a viable approach Above, for the initial ACTE flight, to improve aerodynamic efficiency the experimental control surfaces were and reduce noise generated during locked at a specified setting. Varied takeoffs and landings. flap settings on subsequent tests will The Adaptive Compliant Trailing demonstrate the capability of the Edge (ACTE) project is a joint flexible surfaces under actual flight effort between NASA and the U.S. conditions. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), using flaps designed At left, flight results will validate and built by FlexSys, Inc. of Ann whether the ACTE flap’s seamless Arbor, Michigan. With AFRL design and advanced lightweight funding through the Air Force’s materials can reduce wing structural Small Business Innovative Research weight, improve fuel economy and program, FlexSys developed a efficiency, and reduce environmental impacts. ACTE, page 2 ED14-0338-016 NASA/Ken Ulbrich www.nasa.gov/ X-Press November 2014 New configuration has first flight By Jay Levine inexpensive remotely or optionally X-Press Editor piloted glider that will be towed aloft NASA has successfully flight- by a transport aircraft. Following tested a prototype twin-fuselage release at about 40,000 feet, the towed glider that could lead to glider would launch a booster rocket rockets being launched from into an optimal trajectory to place pilotless aircraft at high altitudes – its payload into low Earth orbit. a technology application that could The glider was built primarily significantly reduce the cost and with commercial-off-the-shelf improve the efficiency of sending components, but some parts were small satellites into space. The first manufactured by NASA Armstrong’s flights of the one-third-scale twin Fabrication Branch. Assembly was fuselage towed glider took place at accomplished in NASA Armstrong’s NASA Armstrong on Oct. 21. Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems The towed glider is an element Research Lab, or model shop. In of the novel rocket-launching ED14-0159-69 NASA/Tom Tschida January 2014, flights confirmed concept of the Towed Glider that towing and releasing a single- One of NASA Armstrong’s DROID small, unmanned research aircraft tows Air-Launch System, or TGALS. fuselage version of the aircraft by the twin-fuselage towed glider into the blue sky on its first test flight. NASA Armstrong researchers are the DROID tow plane functioned developing the project, which as expected. The recent flights is funded as a part of the Space the first, the glider was towed – is mated with the glider and confirmed the dual-fuselage version Technology Mission Directorate’s behind the DROID, leveled out in ultimately launched from the also is airworthy. Game Changing Development flight and the glider was released glider after its release from the TGALS chief engineer Ryan program. for another free flight to the dry DROID. Dibley said using two commercial- The 27-foot-wingspan glider was lakebed. Gerald Budd, who for about off-the-shelf glider halves and towed behind the Dryden Remotely “We had a really good first three years has conceptualized and joining them together with a center Operated Integrated Drone, or flight,” said John Kelly, TGALS sought funding for the concept, wing structure created challenges. DROID, unmanned aircraft into project manager. “Both aircraft piloted the DROID during the While the center wing section was the blue skies above Edwards Air performed well.” test flight and was pleased that the built in-house and was designed Force Base. Minutes later the “It flies fantastically,” said Robert project had a successful first test specifically for this mission, the towline was released and the twin “Red” Jensen, who piloted the flight. outer wing sections were built for fuselage aircraft glided to a perfect dual-fuselage glider. “There were no “It was surreal to watch it fly the standard single-fuselage glider landing on Rogers Dry Lake. squawks (problems).” after all of the work it took to get without the additional weight. After reviewing wind conditions The goal is to build confidence here,” Budd said. “One of the concerns was we and checking the systems of both with the aircraft and with tow If the project continues to didn’t know what the outer wing aircraft, mission managers decided operations before the final element succeed, Budd believes the ultimate to go for a second flight. As with – an experimental rocket payload goal would be to build a relatively TGALS, page 6 ACTE... from page 1 variable geometry airfoil system demonstrations to show design to existing airplane wings or materials will reduce wing structural called FlexFoil that can be retrofitted improvements in drag, weight, noise, integrated into new airframes. weight and give engineers the ability to existing airplane wings or emission and fuel reductions,” said “We have progressed from an to aerodynamically tailor the wings integrated into brand new airframes. Fay Collier, ERA project manager at innovative idea and matured the to promote improved fuel economy FlexFoil’s inventor, FlexSys NASA’s Langley Research Center in concept through multiple designs and more efficient operations, while founder and Chief Executive Officer Hampton, Virginia. and wind tunnel tests, to a final reducing environmental impacts. Sridhar Kota hopes testing with the During the initial ACTE demonstration that should prove “The first flight went as planned modified Gulfstream III will confirm flight, the experimental control to the aerospace industry that this – we validated many key elements the design’s flight worthiness and surfaces were locked at a specified technology is ready to dramatically of the experimental trailing edges,” open doors to future applications and setting. Different flap settingsimprove aircraft efficiency,” said said Thomas Rigney, ACTE project commercialization. ACTE is being will be employed on subsequent AFRL Program Manager Pete manager at Armstrong. “We expect flown from NASA Armstrong. flights to collect a variety of data Flick, from Wright-Patterson Air this technology to make future “This flight test is one of the demonstrating the capability of Force Base, Ohio. aircraft lighter, more efficient and NASA Environmentally Responsible the flexible wings to withstand a ACTE technology is expected to quieter. It also has the potential to Aviation (ERA) Project’s eight real flight environment. The flaps have far-reaching effects on future save hundreds of millions of dollars large-scale integrated technology have the potential to be retrofitted aviation. Advanced lightweight annually in fuel costs.” X-Press November 2014 FAA honors McMurtry News By Alan Brown Richard Dilbeck NASA Armstrong Public Affairs (left), coordinator at NASA Retired NASA Armstrong of the Master research pilot Thomas C. McMurtry Pilot award was honored by the Federal Aviation presentations Orion set Administration Oct. 25 with the for the Federal presentation of the agency’s Wright Aviation Brothers Master Pilot Award Administration’s to launch during a ceremony before family, Sacramento NASA’s new Orion spacecraft friends and associates at the AERO regional office, now is at its launch pad after Institute in Palmdale. presents the completing its journey Nov. award to retired Richard Dilbeck, coordinator of 12. It arrived at Space Launch NASA Armstrong Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral the Master Pilot award presentations research pilot for the FAA’s Sacramento regional Tom McMurtry Air Force Station in Florida, office, presented the prestigious as McMurtry’s where the spacecraft then was award to McMurtry as his wife, wife Mary Louise lifted onto a United Launch Mary Louise McMurtry and an assists. Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket estimated 120 attendees applauded in preparation for its first trip to the honoree. ED14-0325-021 NASA/Jim Ross space. McMurtry, whose activity Orion will travel almost is severely limited following 60,000 miles into space a debilitating stroke, was also Thursday, Dec. 4, during an presented with resolutions and uncrewed flight designed to certificates honoring his service to test many of the spacecraft’s NASA and the nation from several systems before it begins carrying public officials, including California astronauts on missions to deep state senator Stephen Knight of the space destinations. 21st district, Los Angeles County The spacecraft, which includes fifth district supervisor Michael the crew and service modules, Antonovich and U.S. Congressman launch abort system and the Howard “Buck” McKeon of adapter that will connect it to California’s 25th district. the rocket, was completed in Now 79, McMurtry joined the October. NASA Flight Research Center “In less than a month, Orion in 1967 after service as a U.S. will travel farther than any Navy pilot and with Lockheed spacecraft built for humans has EC76-4973 NASA/Tom Tschida Corporation. He was a project pilot been in more than 40 years,” on some of the most significant Retired NASA research pilot Tom McMurtry is pictured with the X-24B lifting said William Gerstenmaier, body after he made the 36th and final flight in the unique craft on Nov. 26, NASA’s associate administrator McMurtry, page 8 1975. for human exploration and operations.. Orion is scheduled to liftoff Happy 50th at 7:05 a.m. Dec. 4. During NASA Armstrong Flight Loads its two-orbit, 4.5 hour flight Laboratory chief test engineer test, Orion will travel 3,600 Larry Hudson, at left, displays miles beyond Earth.