National and Space Administration

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration

A special publication of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center X-Press, Edwards, California

Ascension Albuquerque International Fiesta brings ‘mass happiness’ to large crowds October 2009 X-tra X-tra October 2009

Index NASA Aeronautics Agency’s ‘first A’ NASA exhibit showcases aeronautics, featured at Fiesta page 3 By Jay Levine X-Press Editor he average person is aware that NASA is legendary for its work in space, such as the Apollo 11 mission that featured the first Photographer steps on the lunar surface by astronaut Neil Armstrong on July shares in- T20, 1969. In 2009, NASA celebrated the 40th anniversary of sights of his that event that still inspires people around the world. first balloon However, is not as widely known that before NASA sent men to the flight, page 4 moon, the agency’s aeronautics division flight-tested rocket-powered that touched the edge of space. Among the 550 hot air and ED09 0286-56 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida more than 850,000 people who attended the Albuquerque International Tamera Eakes, 6, has her picture taken at a NASA photo kiosk with an assist from Balloon Fiesta Oct. 3-11, many who visited the NASA exhibit learned her dad Joseph and NASA exhibits staff member Kimberlee Buter. Wind tunnel more about the sleek black X-15 that 50 years ago redefined the limits of shows how and contributed to the Apollo mission. aeronautical “We’re excited to have played a lead role in the aeronautics exhibit in the NASA tent at the Balloon Fiesta,” said Mary Ann Harness, Dryden public concepts work, outreach specialist and exhibit coordinator. “We had a number of people who page 5 came again and again because there was so much to see and experience.” Balloon Fiesta attendees had an opportunity to learn not only about the history of NASA aeronautics through a number of displays, but Sokolik creates to experience some of it for themselves. For example, an F-15 cockpit simulator allowed people to picture themselves in the pilot’s seat lifting enthusiasm for off the runways at Edwards. NASA, page 6 “A 70-year-old woman sat in the cockpit. It didn’t matter if people were young, or young at heart, they enjoyed NASA’s interactive exhibits,” said Kevin Rohrer, Dryden public affairs director. “It’s amazing to see F/A-18 is a people in the simulator and imagining themselves as pilots. We hope that large inflatable inspires them to reach their own personal goals.” When exhibit attendees exited the cockpit, they had an opportunity to exhibit, invalu- learn about the wind tunnels that are used for researching the different able research aircraft shapes or the aerodynamics of various parts of an aircraft. aircraft, page 7 Another exhibit detailed the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, a modified NASA 747SP with the world’s largest airborne infrared telescope installed in its rear fuselage. The SOFIA will This page, A wave of hot deploy to locations around the world where its high-tech German-built air balloons takes off dur- telescope will scan the heavens to obtain clearer views than those taken ing a mass ascension at the with Earth- or space-based telescopes. To help people see how infrared Albuquerque International astronomy works, a camera is set up for visitors to see how they appear in Balloon Fiesta. (NASA the infrared spectrum. Photo ED09 0286-83 by “Many people are familiar with the Hubble Space Telescope and the Tom Tschida) visible light images it has taken. We hope to introduce people to the infrared spectrum by allowing them to see themselves on a monitor Cover, A sea of spectators through the lens of an infrared camera. We also want them to know attended opening day at the SOFIA’s technology complements available space telescopes and gives 38th annual Albuquerque another way of looking at the universe,” said Darlene Mendoza, NASA International Balloon Fi- ED09 0286-121 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida esta. (NASA Photo ED09 SOFIA education and outreach representative. Visitors to the NASA exhibit were able to sit in an F-15 cockpit simulator and 0286-047 by Tom Tschida) picture themselves in the pilot’s seat. Seated in the cockpit is Hunter Koontz. His See NASA exhibit, page 8 mom, Jonelle Ellis, and Scott Andrus watch Hunter “fly.” 2 3 October 2009 X-tra X-tra October 2009

ED09 0286-103 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida At left, hot air balloons that lifted off from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta fly over the Rio Grande. Top, hot air balloon pilot Randy Wright navigates his balloon called “Peacock.” Below, NASA photographer Tom Tschida takes a self portrait on his first hot air balloon ride.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida

ED09 0286-123 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida Tony Springer, right, NASA exhibits and education lead, demonstrates a flow-visualization wind tunnel. Wind

ED09 0286-104 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida

By Jay Levine heat the air that kept the balloon Tschida was asked to kneel in in skydiving; it is calm X-Press Editor aloft was loud. front of the pilot, who then retold and quiet with a great view of he balloonist community The smooth, calm flight allowed a brief history of ballooning and everything.” Tunnel By Jay Levine is friendly and welcoming Tschida to look out at other balloons recited a ballooning prayer. The The sense of community on the X-Press Editor and the view from up high and the winds were just right for pilot used a sword to open a bottle field and in the air was evident. eronautics can seem like such heady stuff, but NASA staff gives a person a glimpse travel over the Rio Grande. Once of champagne, an event that he had “I was really impressed by how T members at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta into the reasons why ballooning is a over the river, the pilot dipped the repeated more than 200 times to friendly the balloonists are. The used a tool to bring some sky-high concepts down to Earth popular hobby, said Tom Tschida, a balloon’s gondola and its occupants initiate previous first-time fliers. first group I shot asked me toa First for visitors at the Fiesta. photographer at Dryden. in twice as part of a tradition, That wasn’t the end of the barbecue. It is a really relaxed and A One such tool was the flow-visualization wind tunnel that brings On a brisk morning during the soaking them in cold water. ceremony. A toast was made, but friendly crowd,” Tschida said. the aeronautical engineering technology of the wind tunnel down to a Albuquerque International Balloon The landing was exhilarating and Tschida had to pick up a cup of His creative juices also flowed in more manageable, desktop size. Fiesta Tschida experienced his first a bit rough as the gondola hit the champagne with his mouth and different ways in the air. “Before we fly anything it’s tested in a wind tunnel, regardless flight in a hot air balloon. Tschida ground and slid to a stop about 20 drink it, while a bottle of champagne “Up in the balloon, I naturally of whether it is researched at NASA or with our partners in other had only briefly seen a hot air balloon feet from its touchdown spot. was poured over his head. shot more wide angle than I did government agencies, industry or academia,” said Tony Springer, up close prior to the event. The ride is only part of the “The flight gave me broader on the ground to take advantage of NASA lead for communication and education. Flight experience for a first-time flier. depth of understanding into what the different perspectives,” he said. “I hung out with the crew as In the case of the flow-visualization wind tunnel, a smoke-like vapor the balloon was readied. The pilot, First Tschida participated in a ballooning is and how it works. I also “The day before, I was running is used to demonstrate the airflow around an object placed in the Randy Wright, briefed the Peacock’s Photographer shares a few tradition and then a ceremony learned how complex it is and how around on the ground, but from wind tunnel. Wind-tunnel components take incoming air through a crew about what would happen. to commemorate the flight. The critical the direction of the wind is the air you experience and see the honeycomb material that increases the air to provide what researchers Passengers were asked to come over insights on hot air balloons initiation for Tschida and another at different altitudes. The balloon whole thing and the view – which call laminar flow, or smooth air. and a set of stairs was brought over He had previously done some aloft, the hot air balloon flight was fellow passenger included the pair is only controlled by changing its must be the biggest draw for The model wind tunnel permits people to observe airflow patterns for us to climb into the balloon. skydiving, so Tschida imagined that peaceful and calm as the balloon lying on the deflated envelope while altitude,” he said. balloonists.” over scale-model aircraft and cars to better visualize what researchers We stood there while the crew did the experience would be similar to drifted, but he noted that the burst the rest of the crew piled on top to “There is inherent risk, but it is everything else,” Tschida said. the calm drift he enjoyed. Once of noise from the burner used to assist in deflating the balloon. fun. It was like being under the See First flight, page 7 See Wind tunnel, page 8 4 5 October 2009 X-tra X-tra October 2009

By Jay Levine provide control by interacting with X-Press Editor vortices, generated at high angles inding the NASA exhibit of attack, to create side forces. at the Albuquerque Dryden used another F/A-18 International Balloon on loan from the U.S. Navy as FFiesta wasn’t difficult. the Systems Research Aircraft, to Enthusiasm People just had to look for the advance commercial and military Sokolik’s talks at Albuquerque schools and AIAA are warmly received big airplane. technologies. At an event featuring hot air The SRA flight-test aircraft By Jay Levine and excel at it.” balloons, NASA appropriately enabled government and industry X-Press Editor Message received, said Albuquerque had an F/A-18 half-scale blow- to focus on integration, ground n presentations at four High School students Jourdan up model airplane that makes test and flight validation of such Albuquerque schools and Beamont and Emily Williams. the way to the agency’s exhibit breakthrough technologies as vehicle another for the American Beaumont said he intends to pursue more obvious. management systems, advanced IInstitute of Aeronautics and his interests – which go back to “The main objective was for the air data systems, photonic based Astronautics in October detailing his love of balsa airplanes – in F/A-18 to draw attention to the systems, electric aircraft concepts NASA’s high-altitude flight suits, one either aeronautical or mechanical NASA tent that had a number of and flight test techniques. theme was consistent – enthusiasm engineering. For Williams, she aeronautics displays. NASA is not The Active Aeroelastic Wing for aeronautics. said her passion is to become an just space, but also aeronautics,” project sought to verify a new That enthusiasm grew when astronaut. said Mary Ann Harness, Dryden structural design paradigm to Dryden life-support technician Sokolik showed video from an public outreach specialist and enable future aircraft to use wing Jim Sokolik asked students about ER-2 flight and explained that it is exhibit coordinator. twist, rather than conventional the high-altitude pressure suit difficult for pilots in the 35-pound “We try to bring the F/A-18 methods of control, to improve he brought with him. Students pressure suits to move around. The inflatable aircraft to events where overall performance. watched as Sokolik instantly inflated added weight can add to pilot fatigue we can’t get one of our research This Air Force Research the pressure suit with a pump and toward the end of missions that aircraft,” Harness added. “NASA Laboratory-funded project explained how the lack of oxygen can be as long or longer than eight Headquarters provided it to us demonstrated roll control by and pressure 11 miles up would ED09 0286-142 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida hours depending on the needs of the several years ago and it has been a ED09 0286-53 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida active control of a flexible wing research mission. cause pilots to pass out in six to Students at Jackson Middle School in Albuquerque take the opportunity to see wonderful tool and exhibit piece.” The F/A-18 half-scale inflatable aircraft made it easy for fiesta-goers to find the on a modified F/A-18 at transonic “The pilot flying the aircraft in the eight seconds without the suits. a high-altitude pressure suit up close. Sokolik showed attendees of the Albuquer- NASA uses F/A-18s obtained NASA display. Visitors to the exhibit took the opportunity to picture themselves and supersonic speeds – a modern pressure suit is like you wearing your At Dryden, ER-2 pilots must que International Balloon Fiesta, students at area schools and members of the from the U.S. Navy between as pilots, with an aircraft behind them. outgrowth of the “wing warping” winter clothes to ride your bicycle,” wear such suits to survive in the Albuquerque chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronau- 1984 and 1991. Two have a two- technique used by the Wright he further explained. harsh environment of high-altitude tics the clothing that permits pilots to fly high-altitude missions. seat cockpit while the others are brothers to maneuver their first flight. Whatever the discomfort, the single-seat aircraft. The versatile aircraft. The ER-2 is the civil variant of pressure suit can save the pilot’s life aircraft are used for a number F/A-18 aircraft also are used the military U-2 reconnaissance in an extreme condition. of research missions and for to keep chase pilots in constant aircraft. NASA’s ER-2 aircraft are Sokolik showed people at his escorting research aircraft as an radio contact with research pilots high-altitude research platforms that presentations a video of a glass of 70- extra set of eyes, often referred to F/A-18 and to monitor key parts of the provide scientists and researchers degree tap water that was brought to as chase aircraft. designs and research objectives. September 1996. flight, an important safety feature the ability to gather information conditions in a pressure chamber that F/A-18 aircraft are used for The High Alpha Research A total of 385 research flights of research missions. Chase aircraft on Earth at altitudes that would simulated the environment at 70,000 integration of experiments such Vehicle, Systems Research Aircraft were conducted with the test article, are used as camera platforms for be difficult or impossible for feet and higher. When the water as test fixtures, sensors and and Active Aeroelastic Wing demonstrating that it was capable research missions requiring photos conventional aircraft or satellites to reached 83,000 feet, it boiled. In subsystems and for researching projects are examples of how NASA of flight at angles of attack between and videos. Aeronautical engineers attain. extreme conditions the pressure suit such equipment in flight has used F/A-18 aircraft to redefine 65 and 70 degrees using thrust- extensively use photo and video Kathleen Rutter, an anatomy keeps the pilot’s blood from boiling conditions. Sometimes the the cutting edge of flight research. vectoring paddles to direct engine coverage to monitor and verify and science teacher at Albuquerque and the oxygen from pulled from his aircraft’s flight control systems An F/A-18 was used for the High thrust, a research flight control aspects of a research project. High School, wanted her anatomy or her body, Sokolik explained. or vehicle structure, or both, are Alpha, or angle of attack, Research system and forebody strakes. No matter what their use, the and physiology class to hear his Without a suit at high altitude, a extensively modified to validate Vehicle in a three-phase program Strakes are hinged structures on F/A-18 plays a key role in NASA presentation. As a teacher for about pilot would lose consciousness, he new configurations, integrated conducted from April 1987 until the forward side of the fuselage that flight research. 30 years, she said this was the first said. However, the suit inflates in the time she was able to have a NASA blink of an eye and preserves adequate representative in her classroom. pressure for the pilot to get out of the First flight ...from page 5 ED09 0286-163 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida “I was very excited when I hazardous situation. The sense of community and other crews all come to help supports the fiesta. That is obvious, is spectacular, Tschida said the view Elizabeth Kallman, AIAA Albuquerque section chair, asks Dryden life-support received an e-mail from science People at the four schools and from Albuquerque residents also hold the basket down,” he said. from all the signs welcoming them from the sky is breathtaking. technician Jim Sokolik about the high-altitude pressure suit. coordinator Trish Wagner saying AIAA attendees were curious about a impressed Tschida. Albuquerque’s efforts to to the receipts from purchases That is especially true when a that this opportunity was available That included a number of students asked how they could best white ball hanging from the front of “As you go over neighborhoods welcome the balloonists are seen at local stores that include a community is so enthusiastic about to us. I jumped on it. It is a big thrill students at Albuquerque High prepare for a career at NASA. the pressure suit. little old ladies in robes and kids on everywhere. ‘welcome, balloonists’ message,” its hot air balloons and the people and the students were really excited School and all of the schools Sokolik’s advice: “Stay in school, bikes come out to see the balloons. “Parents thank the balloonists he said. who fly them. See Enthusiasm, page 8 about the visit,” Rutter said. at which Sokolik spoke, where work hard and do what you do well When the balloon lands, kids, adults for coming. The whole community While the view from the ground 6 7 October 2009 X-tra Wind tunnel ... from page 5 are looking for in their designs and also to see how the wind tunnel can The supercritical wing, an airfoil shape that reduces drag at speeds just help those researchers see a representation of how a concept, shape or below Mach 1, enables an aircraft to go slightly faster or see an increase component will perform in flight. in performance as a result of drag reduction. Research flights made at “We can show people how air moves over or around an aircraft and Dryden Flight Research Center with a modified F-8 validated wind-tunnel explain to them how similar methods are used in launch vehicles and even predictions that aircraft using the supercritical wing experienced increased tall buildings to see how the air is going to flow, or what the aerodynamic cruising speed, saw improved fuel efficiency of about 15 percent, and saw characteristics are of the object,” Springer said. better flight range than those featuring conventional wings. As a result, NASA uses wind tunnels at its centers, other government agencies or at supercritical wings are now common on most modern subsonic military industry-partner facilities. The tunnels range in size from a few inches to and commercial transports. tunnels of 80 by 120 feet that can be used to test a full-sized aircraft. Winglets, which were tested on a KC-135 at Dryden, are end plates “Wind tunnels allow you to determine what the aerodynamics of on the wing that “fool” the wing into behaving as though it had a longer a vehicle are before you actually expend money on a full-scale aircraft. span. In other words, with winglets, the wing is more efficient without They’re also used to reduce the unknowns, because you don’t want to put a the performance penalties of actually having a larger wing. The economic person or some hardware at risk,” Springer said. advantages of winglet use eventually led to their adoption on light aircraft, The concepts usually start small and get larger as the test article solidifies business jets, airliners and heavy military transports. from data acquired through a number of increasingly complex tests in Another area of wind-tunnel use is icing research, which has made flight incrementally larger wind tunnels with bigger and bigger models, Springer safer through use of NASA’s world-class facilities, Springer said. said. Researchers essentially start off with a toy, where they can take the Aeronautics also is valuable to the design of semi trucks and race cars. wings and flight control surfaces off and they can change out components In fact, a research effort led by Ed Saltzman at Dryden on aerodynamic to determine the optimum aerodynamic range through wind-tunnel tests. drag on semi trucks revolutionized the trucking industry in the 1970s. “A majority of U.S. commercial and military aircraft or launch vehicle That research lead to major design changes resulting in an increase in has been tested in NASA wind tunnels or uses NASA-developed technology. efficiency and a 20 to 25 percent increase in fuel economy over vehicles NASA has gone beyond the fundamental research that defines the concepts that did not feature the aerodynamic improvements. to actual application of them in the wind tunnel and following on with A professional racing association used the NASA Langley Full Scale flight test,” Springer said. Wind Tunnel for a detailed look at aerodynamics on race-car and drag A number of key modern aircraft technologies were first proven in wind reduction. Another area of interest was the impacts of aerodynamics with tunnels before undergoing the crucible of flight research. multiple racecars, Springer said. A team led by Richard Whitcomb of Langley Research Center, Hampton, People at the Fiesta had an opportunity to experience for themselves the Va., who only recently died, originated a number of those technologies, value of wind tunnels and how they work, regardless of how they’re used to including area rule, the supercritical wing and winglets. test components, concept models or full-size aircraft or automobiles. Area rule is the concept that a narrowing in the fuselage over the wing reduces high-speed drag at transonic speeds. NASA exhibit ... from page 3 Enthusiasm ... from page 6 In addition, visitors to the NASA exhibit also waited for their turn at a photo kiosk, where they could be photographed on either the moon or “When the suit inflates, the helmet threatening situation. Mars at no cost. raises and the pilot can’t see. The “[The suit] is there in case At an event featuring hot air balloons, NASA appropriately had an F/A- gloves inflate so he or she cannot feel something happens,” he said. 18 half-scale blow-up model at the entrance of the NASA exhibit. Other, their fingers either. Sight and touch “Safety is always first.” less expansive models of the SOFIA NASA 747 aircraft, the NASA 747 are gone. Even if they can’t see, they Elizabeth Kallman, AIAA section Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and the next-generation Orion spacecraft were can find the helmet adjustment and chair, was impressed by Sokolik’s available for attendees to view. pull the helmet back down. They presentation. In addition, Dryden aerospace engineering technician Jim Sokolik might not be able to easily feel the “I loved it. I want him to come demonstrated a high-altitude pressure suit that was used in the Mach 3 SR- golf ball, but they know it’s there,” back,” she said. It was the first time 71 program. He demonstrated the pressure suit daily at the Balloon Fiesta, Sokolik said. she had seen a pressure suit up at Albuquerque area schools and at an American Institute of Aeronautics In the 22 years Sokolik has been close. and Astronautics event. working with NASA’s ER-2 aircraft Regardless of the venue, Sokolik’s Balloon Fiesta attendees saw spectacular and breathtaking views at the he said there have been just two presentations had impact in inspiring events on the field and in the sky. They also had opportunities for similar times an aircraft he launched had an the next generation of explorers experiences while learning about the latest technologies and test beds that instance where the suit was inflated and scientists and showing people NASA is developing to explore space, advance aeronautics and reveal more and that both times it wasn’t a life- elements of NASA’s missions. about planet Earth and its environment.

X-tra is published for civil Address: P.O. Box 273, Editor: Jay Levine, Tybrin, ext. 3459 servants, contractors and retirees of Building 4839 the Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, Calif. 93523-0273 Assistant Editor: Sarah Merlin, Tybrin, ext. 2128 and the center’s partners and civil Phone: 661-276-3449 customers. FAX: 661-276-3566 Managing Editor: Steve Lighthill, NASA

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