Variable-Altitude Testing System for Suborbital Flight Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ground-based systems lack the capability to simulate the highly variable pressure environments experienced during suborbital flights, making it difficult to effectively test and certify Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) for suborbital vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A ground-based testing system utilizing a combination of pressure vessels and control systems to simulate the pressure-time profiles of suborbital flights, including a main pressure vessel and ancillary pressure vessels connected through a configurable pressure interface, with a computer-controlled pressure modulation system to replicate the dynamic pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ground-based system is designed to simulate suborbital flight pressure environments, then the testing capability for ECLSS systems is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent pressure vessels (first pressure vessel for crew compartment simulation, second pressure vessel for payload bay simulation) that can operate independently or in combination. Each vessel can be configured separately to simulate different altitude profiles and pressure conditions, reducing the complexity of controlling a single large system while maintaining comprehensive testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure vessels are designed with universal interfaces and control systems that can accommodate various test configurations. The same hardware infrastructure supports multiple test scenarios including different flight profiles, leak conditions, and emergency scenarios, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functionality.
2Reliability
If pressure vessels are configured to simulate complete suborbital flight profiles, then the realism of testing is improved, but the time required for testing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures pressure vessels with standardized interfaces and control parameters for common flight profiles. Test setups are prepared in advance with pre-programmed pressure sequences, allowing rapid transition between test scenarios without requiring full reconfiguration, thus reducing testing duration while maintaining realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure control system dynamically adjusts pressure profiles in real-time during testing, allowing flexible modification of flight scenarios without interrupting the test flow. This dynamic control enables comprehensive testing of multiple scenarios within a single test session, reducing overall testing time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pressure vessels are used to simulate different flight environments, then the versatility of testing scenarios is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different flight environments are simulated by segmenting the test into separate pressure vessels rather than requiring a single complex system. The first pressure vessel simulates crew compartment conditions while the second simulates payload bay conditions, with each vessel optimized for its specific function, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized control system acts as an intermediary between the multiple pressure vessels and the test operators, coordinating pressure profiles and monitoring conditions across all vessels. This intermediary control layer simplifies the interface for users while managing the complexity of multiple interacting systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and realistic simulation of suborbital flight environments, allowing for comprehensive testing and certification of ECLSS systems, including emergency scenarios and leak conditions, thereby improving the reliability and safety of suborbital flight hardware.
Implementation Method 1
selecting hardware/software combinations, including pressure modulating devices, having suitable technology and cost characteristics and being adapted to assist in control and measurement of such at least one range of test variables
Data Source
AI summary
A ground-based system for simulating dynamic suborbital-flight environments occurring during substantially complete suborbital-flights by a flight vehicle.