Titan Enterprises’ Post

Titan's Process Atrato® ultrasonic flowmeter is proving 'rock solid' in tests within a totally unique environment – microgravity. In space, liquids behave differently than on Earth, with processes that are usually masked by the Earth’s gravity becoming much more evident. Titan’s Process Atrato is showing good results in fluid dispensing tests in microgravity environments for the potential of delivering water to astronauts in space.

Day 06 : Using the GMAT ( General Mission Analysis Tool) , Impulsive Burn: -> Overview : Today a short and productive session about executing Orbital Maneuvers Using Impulsive Burn was given by Sunny Kabrawala Sir -> How to Use the Tool: Mission Tree: On the left panel, you’ll find the Mission Tree. This is where you define mission elements such as spacecraft, force models, propagators, and target sequences. Spacecraft: Add a new spacecraft by right-clicking on the "Spacecraft" node in the Mission Tree and selecting "Add Spacecraft." You can configure parameters like orbit elements, mass, fuel, and attitude. Propagators: Set up propagators (numerical integrators) for trajectory propagation. Right-click on "Propagators" to create a new propagator and define properties such as force models and integration steps. Analyzing : GMAT provides output in various formats, such as plots, reports, and data files. Output Plots: Use the Plot commands to create 2D and 3D plots of spacecraft trajectories, orbital elements, and more. Reports: Use the Report command to generate detailed mission reports and analyze numerical data. ->Features of GMAT : 1.Trajectory Design and Optimization 2.Spacecraft Modeling 3.Mission Planning and Analysis 4.Data Visualization and Output Space Technology and Aeronautical Rocketry K S Abishek Vidya Chakraborty Ayushman Srivastava Augustin Barbé Tekkiya Larkins Bhavya Baranwal #space #rocketry #orbitalmechanics

As summer is slowly coming to an end we would like to recap on of our highlights of the past months: At the end of June Anatolii, Ruslan and Alexander attended the International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC) in Toulouse, presenting the latest results from our Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) system tests. We've successfully operated and neutralized an ion engine entirely on air — an industry first. Key Performance Data: Our initial results show a specific impulse of 6380 seconds, accelerating incoming air to over 200,000 km/hr. This means our ABEP system can produce enough thrust to counteract drag in the upper atmosphere, allowing spacecraft to operate sustainably in Ultra Low Earth Orbits below 200 km. Why It Matters: This technology allows us to maintain lower orbits than ever before, paving the way for more sustainable and efficient space exploration. Thanks Alex, for presenting on stage! Check out Alexander's, Ruslan's, Juan's, Anatolii's and Chengyu’s paper here: https://lnkd.in/dRCz7dkx #IEPC #InternationalElectricPropulsionConference #Toulouse #AirBreathingElectricPropulsion #Satellite #IonPropulsion #UltraLowEarthOrbit #NewOrbitSpace

Satellite operators looking for a plug-and-play propulsion pack will soon have another option—a plasma thruster fueled by a puck of pure molybdenum from Benchmark Space Systems (one of Concepts NREC's neighbors here in the great state of Vermont). 🛰 PRODUCT OVERVIEW: 🛰 Benchmark's newest product, dubbed Xantus, is currently in-orbit now aboard a satellite operated by Orion Space Solutions, an Arcfield Company that launched on SpaceX’s Transporter-10 rideshare mission. They already have 50 orders for the #thruster, which fills a gap in #satellite maneuvering capabilities thanks to its novel design: ✔ With no valves, tanks, or moving parts, there’s less to go wrong, and it’s completely inert when not in use, making it useful as a deorbit system for smaller spacecraft. ✔ The engine has a slightly higher thrust than electric satellite propulsion systems fueled with noble gasses like #xenon, but similar long-term endurance. ✔ The system’s design allows for precision control, making it useful for pointing on larger satellites as a complement to chemical #thrusters. ✔ In the future, the #thruster could be fueled with metals recycled on orbit. 🛰 HOW IT WORKS: 🛰 A powerful electric charge strikes the metal propellant, transforming some of the #molybdenum into a cloud of #plasma that pushes the #spacecraft forward. Similar techniques are used on Earth to generate thin coatings of metallic materials and Alameda Applied Sciences Co. (AASC) brought it to space as propulsion technology with their company, which Benchmark acquired in 2022. One of the biggest challenges with low-impulse thrusters is testing them on Earth. How do you measure, in one colorful phrase, the equivalent of a "mouse fart"?  Benchmark says it has test-fired the Xantus system for more than 10,000 hours since 2018, including multiple tests at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn’s vacuum chamber. Credit: Payload

You’ve seen the headlines, but let’s break down "How" SpaceX’s recent "Chopsticks Landing" redefined rocket recovery with engineering brilliance and precision physics. • Grid fins: The Booster’s GPS in the Sky As the Super Heavy booster plummets back to Earth, it’s not free-falling. Instead, it uses grid fins - small but powerful aerodynamic surfaces, to adjust its angle and steer through the atmosphere at supersonic speeds. Think of them as the rocket's GPS, guiding it precisely to the launch pad. It’s physics in action - managing drag and lift to land a 3,000-ton booster with pinpoint accuracy. • Heat Shields & Engine Protection Re-entering the atmosphere at thousands of kilometers per hour means facing intense heat. SpaceX’s engineers tackled this with advanced thermal shields, safeguarding the engine nozzles from the searing aerodynamic drag. The result? Even when glowing red-hot, the booster remains intact and ready to be reused. • The "Chopsticks" catch Here’s where it gets thrilling. Instead of landing on the ground or in the ocean, the booster was caught mid-air by two enormous robotic arms - aka Mechazilla. Synchronized in real-time using precise algorithms, these arms absorb the kinetic energy of the descending rocket. It’s a choreography of real-time data and robotic precision for a controlled "catch" that skips the need for traditional landing legs and ocean recovery. • A new era of Reusability Why is this significant? By catching the booster directly on the launch pad, SpaceX dramatically reduces turnaround time. What once took weeks - retrieving and refurbishing rockets - can now happen in hours. This leap in reusability is a major step toward faster, more affordable space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. SpaceX’s “Chopsticks Landing” isn’t just an exciting video - it’s the future of rapid reusability in space exploration. #SpaceX #ChopsticksLanding #Engineering #Physics #Reusability #Starship #Mechazilla #STEM

To a galaxy far, far away! Embarking on a journey through space demands precision and innovation. In this case study, we delve into the intricacies of spacecraft re-entry into the Mars atmosphere, comparing numerical methods with real data from the Viking reentry capsule. Explore motivation, computation methodology, atmospheric chemistry challenges, Fidelity Pointwise unstructured meshing, and case studies of the RAM C-II research probe and Viking 1 Lander. Download now! 👇 #aerospaceengineering #meshing #spaceexploration

Mangalyaan Propulsion and Communication System:  Propulsion System Mangalyaan's propulsion system is vital for its journey and operations. At its core is the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM), a liquid-fueled engine designed for major orbital maneuvers. The LAM raises the spacecraft's orbit around Earth and executes the Trans-Martian Injection (TMI) to set it on a trajectory to Mars. As Mangalyaan approaches Mars, the LAM performs the Mars Orbit Insertion (MOI) burn, slowing the spacecraft to allow Martian orbit capture. Animations show the LAM firing, with plumes of exhaust highlighting these critical maneuvers. Additionally, Mangalyaan has small thrusters distributed around the spacecraft for attitude control, maintaining correct orientation and providing fine trajectory adjustments. Animations illustrate the thrusters firing in short bursts, stabilizing and adjusting the spacecraft's position as needed. Communication System Mangalyaan's communication system ensures continuous and reliable contact with mission control on Earth. The spacecraft is equipped with a high-gain antenna, a large parabolic dish for transmitting data back to Earth and receiving commands, crucial for long-distance communication and high-rate data transfer. Animations depict the high-gain antenna swiveling to maintain Earth alignment as the spacecraft orbits Mars. Supporting this are medium-gain and low-gain antennas, which serve as backups and meet different communication needs. Medium-gain antennas balance data rate and coverage, while low-gain antennas ensure a stable connection even when the spacecraft is not precisely aligned. Onboard transponders handle telemetry, tracking, and command operations, encoding and decoding signals for accurate and timely communication. Animations highlight signal flow between Earth and the spacecraft, showcasing the antennas' role in maintaining a robust communication network across millions of kilometers.

[Explained]:How does the design of grid fins evolve for different mission profiles or payload requirements? Grid fins have become a vital component in modern spacecraft engineering, especially for vehicles that require precise control during atmospheric reentry and landing. Their unique structure enhances aerodynamic capabilities, making them suitable for a variety of mission scenarios. The functionality of grid fins is rooted in their design, which consists of a grid of intersecting struts that generate lift and drag, allowing spacecraft to adjust orientation during descent. Unlike traditional fins, grid fins excel in managing turbulent airflow, crucial for high-speed reentries. The design of grid fins varies significantly based on mission types, such as orbital returns, interplanetary journeys, and planetary landings. Each mission presents distinct challenges that influence grid fin specifications. For instance, missions returning from low Earth orbit (LEO), like SpaceX's Crew Dragon, require grid fins to withstand severe aerodynamic forces, often exceeding speeds of 25,000 km/h (15,500 mph). Therefore, these fins must be lightweight yet durable, commonly constructed from heat-resistant materials like titanium or carbon composites. In contrast, interplanetary missions, such as NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover, necessitate grid fins that can perform efficiently in different atmospheric conditions. Mars has a thin atmosphere, which requires larger surface areas on grid fins to achieve adequate control, highlighting the need for tailored designs. The evolution of grid fin technology has been driven by advancements in materials and aerodynamic efficiency. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has allowed engineers to simulate airflow around various fin designs, optimizing their shapes for maximum lift-to-drag ratios. This refinement results in finely tuned fins that enhance stability during descent. Furthermore, innovations in materials have led to grid fins that are lighter and more heat-resistant, with recent advances allowing for a weight reduction of approximately 30%, improving overall vehicle performance. Modern designs also emphasize modularity, allowing easy adjustments for different spacecraft configurations, which is particularly important for companies like SpaceX that frequently adapt their designs to meet specific mission requirements. #SpaceX #Booster #Falcon9

Day 74/100✨ 🚀 Exploring Ion Propulsion Technology 🛰️ Ever wondered how ion propulsion works? Ion propulsion involves ionizing a gas to propel a craft, providing a more efficient alternative to traditional chemical propulsion systems. Xenon gas, charged and accelerated to 30 km/second, plays a crucial role in this cutting-edge technology. Let's delve into the mechanics behind Ion Thrusters: - Neutral propellant gas like Xenon is ionized using various methods, creating positive ions and free electrons. - These ions are then accelerated by an electrostatic field, resulting in a force known as thrust by Newton's third law of motion. - The expulsion of ions in one direction generates thrust, propelling the spacecraft in the opposite direction. Tags: #IonPropulsion #SpaceTechnology #ECE #ScienceBehindThrusters #SpaceTech #Science #NASA #learn #Propulsion #100daysoflearning #Thrust #Tech #Engine #grow #100days #IonPropulsion #Day74of100 #26daystogo #Newton

Webinar Alert! Join the Flight Opportunities February 7 webinar “Leveraging Iterative Flight Testing to Advance Dust Sensor to Aid in Lunar Landings” to hear researchers speak about Ejecta STORM (Sheet Tracking, Opacity, and Regolith Maturity). The instrument was designed to measure the size and speed of surface particles kicked up by the exhaust from a rocket-powered lander on the Moon or Mars. Researchers will explore how they embraced the Flight Opportunities program’s “fly, fix, fly” ethos to advance their plume-surface interaction technology – from a 2020 flight campaign to a 2023 series of flight tests on Astrobotic’s Xodiac rocket-powered lander. In a discussion with Flight Opportunities, researchers and Astrobotic will share valuable lessons learned on iterative flight testing to mature a technology that could reduce risk for lunar landings.  https://lnkd.in/ecaQYVBa #spacetechnology #suborbitalresearch