1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:09,360 Okay, we've learned how geometry is important in designing an experimental aircraft. 2 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:13,640 We've also learned some steps in the aircraft design process, but there's still one more 3 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:14,640 step to go. 4 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:19,720 Scott mentioned earlier that the last stage in designing an aircraft is flight testing. 5 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:25,440 Well, the lead center for flight testing is NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, 6 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:26,440 California. 7 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:31,280 Let's take a look and see what they're doing with the Hyper-X. 8 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,000 How will the Hyper-X reach its test altitude? 9 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:38,640 How do the Hyper-X engineers collect their research information? 10 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:42,320 Why is algebra important in Hyper-X research? 11 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:45,160 Hi, I'm Lori Marshall. 12 00:00:45,160 --> 00:00:49,400 I'm a research engineer in the aerodynamics branch here at NASA's Dryden Flight Research 13 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:50,400 Center. 14 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:55,440 I'm one of the engineers responsible for getting the Hyper-X ready for flight. 15 00:00:55,440 --> 00:01:00,320 In order to do this, we perform tests on the vehicle to ensure that the instrumentation 16 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:03,840 system will measure the necessary data. 17 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:09,000 We make sure that the control room is set up properly to record this data during flight. 18 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:13,080 We also perform inspections of the Hyper-X during assembly and testing to ensure that 19 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:16,920 the systems are operational and that no damage has occurred. 20 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:21,680 You see, the Hyper-X is a thermal protection system, similar to the space shuttle. 21 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:26,080 The exterior is covered with special tiles that allow it to withstand the high temperatures 22 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:27,840 of high-speed flight. 23 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:32,280 If any of the tiles were damaged, not only would the vehicle structure be compromised, 24 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:36,960 but the aerodynamic shape that we've tested during the design process could also be altered, 25 00:01:36,960 --> 00:01:38,800 and this could affect the flight. 26 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:42,760 How do they flight test the Hyper-X at such high speeds? 27 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:44,280 Great question! 28 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:50,500 The Hyper-X is a very small vehicle, about the size of two kayaks side-by-side. 29 00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:54,100 As Scott told you earlier, it will fly at about Mach 10. 30 00:01:54,100 --> 00:01:58,780 Now because of its size, we only have enough fuel for use at the test conditions or when 31 00:01:58,780 --> 00:02:00,340 the Hyper-X reaches Mach 10. 32 00:02:00,340 --> 00:02:04,220 How do you get Hyper-X to reach Mach 10? 33 00:02:04,220 --> 00:02:06,940 The Hyper-X is attached to the nose of a rocket. 34 00:02:06,940 --> 00:02:10,100 The rocket is mounted under the wing of a B-52 jet. 35 00:02:10,100 --> 00:02:11,780 Let me explain what happens. 36 00:02:11,780 --> 00:02:17,020 The B-52 takes the Hyper-X, which is attached to the rocket, up to a preset altitude and 37 00:02:17,020 --> 00:02:19,620 speed, and releases it. 38 00:02:19,620 --> 00:02:25,460 Then the rocket ignites and flies to an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet, traveling to 39 00:02:25,460 --> 00:02:26,460 the test conditions. 40 00:02:26,460 --> 00:02:32,180 Next, the Hyper-X separates from the rocket and the scramjet engine ignites. 41 00:02:32,180 --> 00:02:34,640 This is when the flight test begins. 42 00:02:34,640 --> 00:02:38,900 The Hyper-X generates over 600 measurements that are sent to the control room during the 43 00:02:38,900 --> 00:02:40,140 flight. 44 00:02:40,140 --> 00:02:44,620 These measurements allow the research engineers to determine the success of the flight. 45 00:02:44,620 --> 00:02:49,220 Each engineer can access their data on specially designed displays, which are also recorded 46 00:02:49,220 --> 00:02:50,220 for post-flight analysis. 47 00:02:50,220 --> 00:02:53,500 How do they analyze all these data? 48 00:02:53,500 --> 00:02:58,940 Well, we use several different methods, but algebra is the foundation for all of these. 49 00:02:58,940 --> 00:03:03,460 We use algebra throughout the design, flight testing, and post-flight analysis phases of 50 00:03:03,460 --> 00:03:05,380 the experiment. 51 00:03:05,380 --> 00:03:09,860 The Vehicle Stability and Control System is a good example of how algebra is used during 52 00:03:09,860 --> 00:03:10,860 flight testing. 53 00:03:10,860 --> 00:03:11,860 For example, take a seesaw. 54 00:03:11,860 --> 00:03:17,580 A seesaw consists of a board and a pivot point, or fulcrum. 55 00:03:18,140 --> 00:03:22,620 Suppose we have Norbert on one side of the seesaw and Zot on the other side. 56 00:03:22,620 --> 00:03:25,740 Here, the seesaw is not balanced. 57 00:03:25,740 --> 00:03:28,420 How do you balance the seesaw? 58 00:03:28,420 --> 00:03:33,380 Well, to balance the seesaw, the product of the weight and the horizontal distance on 59 00:03:33,380 --> 00:03:37,940 the left side of the pivot point must equal the product of the weight and the horizontal 60 00:03:37,940 --> 00:03:40,380 distance on the right side of the pivot point. 61 00:03:40,380 --> 00:03:45,060 By moving Norbert on the left side of the pivot point closer in, you can see the seesaw 62 00:03:45,060 --> 00:03:46,940 becomes balanced. 63 00:03:46,940 --> 00:03:51,340 In mathematical terms, the weight of Norbert times his horizontal distance to the pivot 64 00:03:51,340 --> 00:03:57,620 point is equal to the weight of Zot times his horizontal distance to the pivot point. 65 00:03:57,620 --> 00:04:02,580 Now in the case of the HyperX, the flight computer controls the wings and the tails 66 00:04:02,580 --> 00:04:06,660 to keep the vehicle flying and stable throughout the experiment. 67 00:04:06,660 --> 00:04:10,740 Not for these calculations, we wouldn't be able to fly and get the necessary data. 68 00:04:10,740 --> 00:04:13,780 Have you flight tested the HyperX? 69 00:04:13,780 --> 00:04:15,940 As a matter of fact, we did. 70 00:04:15,940 --> 00:04:20,780 Unfortunately, like many experiments, this one didn't go as planned and the HyperX never 71 00:04:20,780 --> 00:04:22,980 made it to the test conditions. 72 00:04:22,980 --> 00:04:27,540 Sometimes when performing experiments, unforeseen events can occur. 73 00:04:27,540 --> 00:04:33,340 However, we were able to receive data from the HyperX before the test was terminated. 74 00:04:33,340 --> 00:04:38,460 We will use this data to successfully flight test the HyperX again and achieve our mission 75 00:04:38,460 --> 00:04:40,580 of testing scramjet technology. 76 00:04:41,580 --> 00:04:46,180 Wow, if the HyperX program is so successful, how will it affect the future of flight? 77 00:04:46,180 --> 00:04:47,580 Well, let's see. 78 00:04:47,580 --> 00:04:52,580 Recently, I flew from NASA Langley in Virginia to NASA Dryden here in California. 79 00:04:52,580 --> 00:04:54,580 It took about five hours. 80 00:04:54,580 --> 00:04:59,580 If the commercial aircraft were using the same technology used on the HyperX, my flight 81 00:04:59,580 --> 00:05:02,980 time would have been reduced to 30 minutes. 82 00:05:02,980 --> 00:05:08,340 If you ever plan to go into space, the same technology would allow for larger cargo capacity 83 00:05:08,340 --> 00:05:10,340 so space travel would cost less. 84 00:05:10,340 --> 00:05:15,340 This technology would also allow for reusable vehicles at a much lower cost. 85 00:05:15,340 --> 00:05:19,340 This means we could see more launches and more exploration of space.