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U. at Buffalo Engineer Creates Software to Detect and Find LeaksinISS (Forwarded)
The software can determine in which module a leak has occurred and, in some
cases, can pinpoint exactly where a leak is located in the module. When a leak occurs, the software system detects a disturbance in the spacecraft's behavior. The software correlates the effects of this behavior with the geometric structure of the space station. Is this a case of detecting propulsion from escaping air ? If so, what happens when a leak occurs not as a result of a meteorite, and air that escapes from the pressure shell is dispersed by the insulation and outer shell ? would that software still be able to calculate the position and size of leak ? |
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U. at Buffalo Engineer Creates Software to Detect and Find Leaks
Andrew Yee wrote: State University of New York at Buffalo UB Engineer Creates Software to Detect and Find Leaks in International Space Station NASA will use software upon completion of space station They are probably hoping that it will have some usefulness before Assembly Complete, otherwise the student may be a Professor Emeritus by then! Release date: Tuesday, September 2, 2003 BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A new software system designed by a University at Buffalo aerospace engineer will help NASA detect and find air leaks in the International Space Station. The software will be installed in NASA's mission control when the manned space station is expanded from its current eight-module configuration to its final 15-module configuration, according to John L. Crassidis, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. What interim applicability might it have? What if the Station does not go to 15 modules? Is it useful for 14 modules? (Insert obligatory Biblical reference here, as Abraham intercedes for the software. See Genesis 19: 16-33). When a leak occurs, the software system detects a disturbance in the spacecraft's behavior. The software correlates the effects of this behavior with the geometric structure of the space station. This comparison results in predictions for leak location and the size of the hole causing the leak. "Other disturbances are always present, such as drag and solar wind," Crassidis explains. "We've developed very detailed models of these other disturbances, which are used to separate out these effects from the leak, thus isolating the leak disturbance." When the space station is completed, an international crew of up to seven will live and work in space between three and six months, according to NASA. Crew return vehicles always will be attached to the space station to ensure the safe return of all crewmembers in the event of an emergency. Not trying to be cynical here, this does sound like a potentially useful bit of software. It would be interesting to know more. And this was a good opportunity to work a literate-sounding and marginally clever reference into the conversation. Charles http://www.academ.com/info/macintosh/ All Statements Are Personal Opinion Only |
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U. at Buffalo Engineer Creates Software to Detect and Find Leaksin ISS (Forwarded)
When a leak occurs, the software system detects a disturbance in the
spacecraft's behavior. The software correlates the effects of this behavior with the geometric structure of the space station. Hmm, sounds like maybe they are using attitude and accelerometer (translation) data? In which case, yes it probably would matter what kind of "nozzle" (e.g. clean hole versus leaking through layers of insulation) the air was exiting. My other thought it is that maybe ECLSS data (e.g. air pressure in various internal locations) might be helpful. But I don't know that one would describe this by "disturbance in the spacecraft's behavior". Anyone have more info on what this software actually does? |
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