AERO Projects and Activities
Aeronautics in America
Pilot Project:
Aeronautics in America (AIA) is a joint progam between the San Francisco Art Institute, University of Kansas, University of Nebraska, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and the Aerospace industry.
Over a 10-week period middle school students will learn about America's Aerospace future being created by NASA scientists and engineers today.
Then, using quality graphics software and NASA provided content, they will put their vision of that future into words and art.
Pathfinder Plus Pilot Project: Pathfinder Plus Refurbishment
DFRC is refurbishing the Pathfinder Plus solar-electric aircraft in preparation for flight testing in 2004. Towards this end AERO will engage Space Grant institutions to:
- Updating MIT ASWING software code
- Develop an aeroservoelastic model of the Pathfinder and Helios solar aircraft that includes non-linear modeling.
- Develop subsystem models and modeling software code for flight control system, aeroservoelastic, and turbulence.
- Validate Codes and Models with HALE aircraft flight test data
Direct Connect Pilot Project:
D-Rex Engine Project Direct Connect Testing Goals:
- Conducting tests to support flight demonstration of a ducted-rocket experiment on the F-15B aircraft.
- In a phase of testing known as Direct Connect Testing.
- Supporting student scholarships and fellowships for Senior and Graduate level design and operations class.
- Supporting developmental testing of the D-Rex engine in the Direct-Connect Facility.
