[Sciotecha] Wind tunnel tests for space shuttle successor

[Frimlin]

[http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn8819.html]

NASA researchers have begun wind tunnel simulations for the spaceship destined to replace the shuttle – the Crew Exploration Vehicle. The tests are simulating the air flow and temperature changes the vehicle might experience in atmospheric flight.

The wind tunnel tests are using small-scale models of the crew capsule and launch vehicles. Following NASA Administrator Mike Griffin's announcement of the vehicles' basic architecture in September 2005, NASA released a "call for improvements" for the Crew Exploration Vehicle, a 5-metre-long crew capsule that Griffin has dubbed "Apollo on steroids".

The prime contractor bids are due 20 March with amendments due the following month. NASA is expected to select a prime contractor later this fiscal year.

Engineers at Ames Research Center in California, US, are currently testing the models in the 3.4-metre-long Unitary Wind Tunnel. The largest model, about 30 centimetres across, is flown within the test bed, allowing researchers to study different angles and speeds of atmospheric re-entry to better understand the vehicle's performance. Ames invited reporters to view the three models in action on Tuesday.

Only part of the text from this article have been posted -- read more @ NewScientistSpace.com.

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Posted by Frimlin to Sciotecha at 3/08/2006 08:53:00 PM