J. VanDomelen Mil/Aero Blog
J. VanDomelen Mil/Aero Blog RSSTo Infinity and Beyond
Aerospace engineers and enthusiasts, as well as science-fiction fans, are the latest Eagleworks experiment.
The White-Juday warp field interferometer was designed and developed to record warped space and help scientists better understand the space-time bubble that would be required to break Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
Albert Einstein theorized that a particle cannot travel faster than the speed of light because it would require infinite energy. Specifically,in his 1905 paper “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies,” Einstein describes what has been called the special theory of relativity: A particle (that has rest mass) with subluminal velocity needs infinite energy to accelerate to the speed of light, although special relativity does not forbid the existence of particles that travel faster than light at all times.
Theoretical model of the Alcubierre drive
The current Eagleworks experiment uses a helium laser which is split; one beam passes through a ring lined with high-voltage capacitors (23,000 volts when charged), and the other beam passes unimpeded to the data recording device, a black-and-white commercial charge-coupled device (CCD). If the beam going through the ring warps space, NASA Engineer Harold “Sonny” White says, “the resulting interference pattern will be starkly different.”
This experiment is the first step in creating a warp drive, detecting whether we can actually warp space. The second step involves negative energy and White is very tight-lipped about this subject except to say that they have had a breakthrough. The warp drive is based on the Alcubierre drive explored in 1994 by Miguel Alcubierre, a Mexican theoretical physicist.
The second experiment underway at Eagleworks is the Quantum Vacuum Plasma Thruster (QVPT), testing whether we can use quantum fluctuations in empty space to fuel a spacecraft. If successful, a spaceship powered by this technology would require no propellant—a stark contrast to modern space engines.
Plasma engine at work
This mil/aero geek is encouraged by the efforts of NASA and Eagleworks to bring physics propulsion research light years into the future.
Tags: aerospace, Albert Einstein, Alcubierre drive, Eagleworks, engineer, geek, Harold "Sonny" White, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, nasa, plasma, Quantum Vacuum Plasma Thruster, QVPT
Warp Factor 10, Mr. Sulu
This mil/aero geek is ecstatic that NASA has the resources, since the decommissioning of the shuttles, to start acting as a catalyst for the development of game-changing, space-related technologies. A couple really interesting stories have surfaced recently that have intrigued aerospace geeks, myself included. The most noteworthy is…wait for it…warp speed research!
That’s right. You read that correctly. NASA is dedicating resources to the research and development of faster-than-light propulsion at Eagleworks, the Advanced Propulsion Physics Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. The NASA research division’s name, Eagleworks, pays homage to Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.
Odd name? Yes, but one recognized by aerospace enthusiasts, especially those involved in military aviation. Actually, Skunk Works is a popular alias for Lockheed Martin Advanced Development Programs (ADP). Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is responsible for the development of several popular aircraft: the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Nighthawk, F-22 Raptor, and most recently, the F-35 Lightning II.
Eagleworks is dedicated to discovering solutions that will enable the design, development, and full realization of advanced propulsion systems. Research at Eagleworks is headed by NASA Engineer Harold “Sonny” White, a mechanical and aerospace engineer who is the Advanced Propulsion Theme Lead for the NASA Engineering Directorate and is well known for advanced propulsion projects and his dedication to the pursuit of human space flight.
“Sonny is a pretty unique person,” says John Applewhite, White’s boss and head of the Propulsion Systems Branch within the JSC Engineering Directorate. “He’s definitely a visionary, but he’s also an engineer. He can take his vision and turn it into a useful engineering product.”
Tags: aerospace, Eagleworks, electrical, electronic, engineer, F-117 Nighthawk, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, geek, Harold "Sonney" White, John Applewhite, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, military, nasa, Skunkworks, SR-71 Blackbird, U-2, Warp Speed
Bombardier Steps Up to the Big Boys
During the Mentor Graphics Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum (IESF) 2013 last month, Teal Group Vice President of Analysis Richard Aboulafia delivered both good and bad nws related to current and future aerospace market trends.
The commercial passenger jet airliners (or jetliners) to watch are the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX. “This is a well-run duopoly brought to you by Airbus and Boing,” Aboulafia described. “The best part is they both do a good job of reducing fuel consumption, reducing noise, and responding to customer need.”
Does Bombardier have what it takes to transform the commercial airliner duopoly into a tripoly? “Bombardier is trying to break into this business with the C-Series, which is looking like a really good project and could break up the Airbus-Boing dominance in the single-aisle market,” Aboulafia added.
China, Japan, and Russia are also investing in an aerospace infrastructure, Aboulafia explained. “These countries are going to be spending heavily on design software, trying to get in or—in the case of Russia—get back in the business of building big planes.
What does the future hold? More-electric aircraft (MEA) are taking off. MEA describes aircraft that are increasingly complex and employ advanced electronic and electrical systems, opposed to manual or hydraulic solutions. According to Aboulafia, more-electric is absolutely the future of aviation, but we could see a number of technological disruptions along the way. It is, perhaps, “a road paved with lithium-ion batteries,” he said.
This geek always enjoys Aboulafia’s talks and insights, especially amidst the confusing times, downturned global economies, and sequestration.
Tags: aerospace, aerospace market, aviation, Bombardier, C-Series, china, CS300, electrical, electronic, engineer, geek, IESF, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum, Japan, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, military, Richard Aboulafia, Richard L. Aboulafia, Russia
Suborbital Solicitations
NASA, for the second consecutive year, is actively seeking proposals for suborbital technology payloads and spacecraft capability enhancements capable of potentially revolutionizing future space missions.
NASA will help test selected technologies before they are used for their intended purpose and environment—being launched into and functioning in the dark, cold reaches of outer space. After the selected payloads or technologies are developed, they will be made available to NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program and paired with a commercial, suborbital, reusable launch service provider. Potential exists for a direct orbital flight opportunity if small spacecraft propulsion technologies are selected.
NASA’s offer is, perhaps understandably, not entirely selfless; that is, NASA officials seek to test technologies that will help the agency advance technology development in exploration, space operations, and other areas relevant to NASA’s missions, including the agency’s Small Spacecraft Technology Program.
“This call will select innovators to develop novel technology payloads that will provide significant improvements over current state-of-the-art systems,” describes Stephen Gaddis, Game Changing Development Program manager at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.
- This artist’s rendition shows the Neutron-star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER)/Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT) payload that NASA recently selected as its next Explorer Mission of Opportunity. The 56-telescope payload will fly on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA
Proposals are due by 17 June 2013 and will be accepted from U.S. or non-U.S. organizations, including NASA centers, other government agencies, federally funded research and development centers, educational institutions, and industry and nonprofit organizations.
NASA anticipates making as many as 18 awards this summer, with the majority of awards ranging in value from roughly $50,000 to $250,000 each. The total combined funding for this solicitation is expected to be approximately $2 million, based on availability of funds.
For more, visit NASA’s Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System website at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.
This mil/aero geek, initially concerned about the future of space travel after the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle program, is excited to see NASA enabling the commercial space growth and innovation.
Tags: aerospace, computer, design, design automation, electric, electrical, electronic, engineer, Game Changing Development Program, geek, hardware, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, military, nasa, NASA's Flight Opportunities Program, NASA's Langley Research Center, NICER/SEXTANT, Small Spacecraft Technology Program, Stephen Gaddis
Wanted: Suborbital Flight Technology Payloads & Capabilities
Aerospace engineers and executives will be happy to hear that, for the second year, NASA plans to assist makers of space-related technologies, such as advanced payloads and spacecraft systems.
This month, NASA announced that it is soliciting proposals from aerospace technology companies from far and wide. NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program is sponsoring the solicitation for proposals, which program officials anticipate receiving from entrepreneurs, scientists, technologists, instrument builders, research managers, and vehicle builders and operators.
Solicitations are invited for NASA’s latest program, called Game Changing Opportunities in Technology Development. It is intended to address several areas of interest: vehicle enhancements, technology payloads, onboard facilities, and small spacecraft propulsion technologies.
“Investing in transformative technology development is critical to enable NASA’s future missions and benefits the greater American aerospace community,” explains James Reuther, deputy associate administrator for programs in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. “NASA Space Tech’s Game Changing Development and Flight Opportunities Programs are working with our partners from America’s emerging suborbital flight community to foster frequent and predictable commercial access to near-space while allowing for cutting-edge technology development.”
Space-related technologies selected by NASA officials, will travel to the edge of space and back on U.S. commercial suborbital vehicles and platforms. The program provides aerospace firms and engineers with valuable (and otherwise expensive) opportunities to test their innovations before they are potentially brought to market, purchased, deployed, and expected to work flawlessly and reliably in the unforgiving environment of space—likely for decades at a time.
This geek can’t give enough kudos to NASA for the development of such programs amidst sequestration and tightening budgets.
Tags: aerospace, computer, design, design automation, electric, electrical, electronic, engineer, Flight Opportunities Program, Game Changing Opportunities in Technology Development, geek, hardware, James Reuther, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, military, nasa, suborbital
Gas Guzzlers Galore
During the Mentor Graphics Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum (IESF) 2013 earlier this month, Teal Group Vice President of Analysis Richard Aboulafia delivered both good and bad news related to aerospace market trends.
The good news: The commercial aviation market segment continues its strong growth, with orders for passenger jets extending to 2018.
The bad news: The regional jet segment is suffering, with no end currently in clear sight.
The 50-seat and DC-9 regional jets have been a menagerie of bad ideas bouncing from small turboprops—no, wait, large turboprops—and on and on, according to Aboulafia. The DC family of regional jets is the worst he has seen in the market, especially when taking into consideration the ever-rising price of fuel, he adds.
There is some talk in the aerospace market of larger regional jets on the horizon from a variety of airframe manufacturers, including Bombardier, Embraer, BAE Systems, Fokker, Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), ATR (the consortium of Alenia and EADS), Saab, and SuperJet. If they do end up making it into production, Aboulafia is of the opinion that it will be another of the bad ideas that have plagued the regional jet market segment.
When it comes to business and private aircraft in the general aviation segment, Aboulafia predicts a lot more players and more profits. As long as corporate profits rise, the business jet (bizjet) market will correspond accordingly, he explains.
Aboulafia also provided a breakdown of single-aisle jetliner delivers last year. Two single-aisle aircraft families–the Boeing 737-800 and the Airbus A320—represented 46 percent of 2012 deliveries, and 54 percent of deliveries from 2002 to 2011.
That wrap up this geek’s commercial aerospace report from IESF. Stay tuned for the military aerospace report coming up in April.
Tags: 737-800, A320, aerospace, aviation, DC-9, EDA, electric, Electric Aircraft, electrical, electronic, Fuel, geek, hardware, IESF, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum, Interest Rate, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, military, Richard Aboulafia, Richard L. Aboulafia, software, Teal Group, technology
Jetliner Boom
The Teal Group Vice President of Analysis Richard Aboulafia discussed aerospace market trends, including continued growth in the commercial aviation segment, during the Mentor Graphics Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum (IESF) 2013 in Dallas earlier this month.
Commercial jetliners are a “serious anomaly” and make up more than half of the entire market in terms of industrial output and revenue—with both Boeing and Airbus growing by an amazing 59 percent from 2008 to 2012. While the rest of the world saw myriad businesses folding and houses foreclosed upon, these two airline behemoths lumbered on essentially unscathed by and despite the global economic collapse. The knowledgeable Aboulafia’s theory on the steady growth of the commercial airliner market involves two trends: oil prices and interest rates.
The price of fuel continues to climb, and one of the best ways to save on jet fuel costs is to operate a fleet of more fuel-efficient aircraft. The latest commercial jetliner models sport a variety of system improvements, such as design changes that include winglets; advances in construction material, such as carbon fiber; and more efficient engines, such as the General Electric GEnx employed on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The second factor contributing to commercial airline market growth: the falling interest rates that often go hand in hand with a challenging economic environment. Roughly 15 to 20 percent of commercial jets are financed, Aboulafia estimates, and that number is expected to rise given that the low cost of financing makes passenger jets more affordable and banks currently consider increased investment in commercial airliners to be a good business practice. This geek loves a booming aerospace segment!
Tags: aerospace, aviation, EDA, electric, Electric Aircraft, electrical, electronic, Fuel, geek, General Electric GEnx, hardware, IESF, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum, Interest Rate, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, military, Richard Aboulafia, Richard L. Aboulafia, software, Teal Group, technology
Aircraft Market Segments in an Age of Extremes
Richard Aboulafia, vice president of analysis at The Teal Group, a provider of aerospace and defense market intelligence, analysis, and forecasts, was informative (as always) at the Mentor Graphics Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum (IESF) 2013 in Dallas this month.
Not surprisingly, Aboulafia’s valuable insights will be the subject of a series of blogs on the aviation market, including both civil and military industry segments. His observances and predictions are especially valuable to military and aerospace (mil/aero) professionals given the uncertain and volatile worldwide economy—not to mention the anxiety, confusion, and speculation surrounding sequestration in the U.S.
We kick off with a look at the commercial airline market, which Aboulafia has described as having been and continuing to be “bulletproof.” In fact, orders of commercial airliners currently stretch out as far as to 2018—certainly a favorable position for airframe manufacturers and providers of avionics and other airborne components and systems. Other industry pundits concur with Aboulafia’s assessment, noting that the commercial aviation segment is buoying the entire, overarching aviation market.
The commercial airline market is driven by cycles, yet the aerospace industry has been known to buck that trend occasionally. In years where a downturn has been fervently predicted, the industry has experienced surprising
growth. In 2011, air passenger demand grew–giving the market a much-needed and welcomed boost. Conversely, air passenger demand faltered, yet global commercial aircraft output grew by more than 29 percent, slightly less than the growth achieved in 2011.
This geek has a great deal of respect for industry analysts, such as Aboulafia, who seem to always provide spot-on predictions in even the most tumultuous times.
Tags: aerospace, aviation, EDA, electric, Electric Aircraft, electrical, electronic, geek, hardware, IESF, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, military, Richard Aboulafia, software, Teal Group, technology
Insights from IESF: Military & Aerospace 2013
Hundreds of military and aerospace (mil/aero) design engineers, engineering managers, and executives flocked to Dallas last week to attend Mentor Graphics’ annual Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum (IESF) focused on mil/aero applications, trends, and technologies.
Mentor Graphics Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Wally Rhines opened the annual event with an interesting keynote address on: Meeting the Challenge of Developing the More Electric Aircraft.
Aircraft are evolving into sophisticated networked computing platforms; yet, corresponding evolution has not existed in electronic design tools and methodologies, even as the industry moves towards a “more electric” aircraft, Rhines affirmed in his keynote speech. To bridge this design gap and to meet ever more demanding program requirements and functional specifications, aviation leaders are implementing an end-to-end, model-driven, correct-by-construction design process and adopting an integrated, holistic approach to the entire aircraft platform.
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fifth-generation, multi-role military combat aircraft, designed and developed by a Lockheed Martin-led team of aerospace companies, is five times more complicated than the F-16 military
aircraft, first introduced in 1978 by General Dynamics. The complexity of both civil and military aircraft continues to increase; aerospace technology firms are aggressively delivering more and more value to pilots, commercial and military. “As a result, data has terrific value–throughout the aircraft’s entire life cycle, from design thorough deployment and beyond.
“Electrical content will continue to increase, as do complexity and regularly requirements,” Rhines summarizes, “as the industry moves from the ‘more electric’ aircraft to the ‘all electric’ aircraft. Data reuse continues to increase, making designs more efficient and reliable and lending to better quality electric aircraft.”
Tags: aerospace, aviation, EDA, electric, Electric Aircraft, electrical, electronic, geek, hardware, IESF, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, military, software, technology, Wally Rhines
IESF: Military & Aerospace 2013
The Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum: Military & Aerospace (IESF) presented by Mentor Graphics takes place 20 March 2013 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas — a wonderful location, 73 degrees F and partly cloudy, for a break in the wintry weather in the Northern U.S. and Canada. This year’s tracks tackle issues related to: Electrical Distribution Systems, System Engineering, System Modeling and Analysis, Hardware Development, and PCB Systems Design & Mechanical Analysis.
One of the highlights this geek enjoys at IESF: Mil&Aero is the always entertaining and informative presentations from Richard L. Aboulafia, VP of analysis for the Teal Group. He always provides the latest and greatest industry trends in various market verticals, including military fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, large commercial jetliners, regional aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and business aviation. As with most of the forum presentations, audience participation is encouraged; Q&A sessions provide answers to those burning questions conjured up during the informative talks.
Don’t miss presentations from Mentor Graphics, L-3 Link Simulation, Worldwide Certification Services, IBM, Triad Semiconductor, SAAB Aeronautics, and UTC Aerospace Systems (formerly Goodrich). Look to this geek’s blog for updates from the show as it all takes place. Have fun in Dallas and get your geek on at IESF: Military & Aerospace 2013! Register for free at http://www.mentor.com/events/iesf/dallas/
Subjects Covered at this year’s IESF: Mil-Aero
- Industry Trends and Case Studies
- Systems Integration
- Electrical Systems Design
- Wire Harness Engineering
- Addressing Metastability in Hardware
- Mitigating SEU Effects in FPGAs
- Thermal Simulation & Analysis
- Advances in Collaborative PCB Development
- DO-254, DO-297 and ARP 4754A Certification
- Design Assurance and Efficiency
- EWIS Regulations
- Rules-driven Electrical Design
- Design Change Management
- Integrating Electro-mechanical and Control Software
- Electrical Maintenance/Repair Solutions
- Mechatronics Design & Simulation
- Virtual Prototyping
- Electrical Analysis
- Effectivity and Configuration Control
- Design Architecture
- Requirements Management and Traceability
- EE Architecture Optimization
- Systems Engineering
Tags: aerospace, and UTC Aerospace Systems, design, design automation, EDA, electrical, electronic, embedded systems, engineer, geek, IBM, IESF, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum: Military & Aerospace, L-3 Link Simulation, mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, mil-aero, milaero, military, Richard L. Aboulafia, SAAB Aeronautics, software, Teal Group, Triad Semiconductor, Worldwide Certification Services
About J. VanDomelen Mil/Aero Blog
J. VanDomelen holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and myriad certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTia in varying facets of computer software, hardware, and network design and implementation. He has worked in the electronics industry for more than 12 years in varied fields, including advanced systems design of highly technical military and aerospace computer systems, semiconductor manufacturing, open source software development, hardware design, and rapid prototyping.
Latest Posts
- To Infinity and Beyond
- Warp Factor 10, Mr. Sulu
- Bombardier Steps Up to the Big Boys
- Suborbital Solicitations
- Wanted: Suborbital Flight Technology Payloads & Capabilities
- Gas Guzzlers Galore