Dynamics and Control Research in NASA Aeronautics

NASA is the nation's leading government organization for aeronautical research. The research portfolio spans ten projects across fundamental aeronautics, next generation air transportation systems, and aviation safety. The core research areas include aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, materials and structures, propulsion, dynamics and control, sensor and actuator technologies, advanced computational and mathematical techniques, and experimental measurement techniques.

In this panel, we will discuss selected dynamics and control research topics as defined under the current NASA project plans. Some of these topics are (1) validated multidisciplinary integrated aircraft control design tools and techniques for enabling safe flight in the presence of adverse conditions; (2) predict and model flight characteristics of novel configurations and within unconventional flight regimes; (3) development of novel actuation and feedback techniques for engines and flight control; (4) technologies for improved aircraft performance, enabling intelligent and robust control of unconventional configurations (such as hybrid wing body, cruise efficient short take-off and landing, and high performance intelligent engines) and active control of components for improved propulsion efficiency and lower emissions; (5) models, analysis tools and design methodologies that permit the design of Highly Reliable Reusable Launch Systems (HRRLS) and integration of control relevancy into the overall hypersonic vehicle conceptualization, sizing, and design process; (6) rotorcraft flight dynamics and control with integrated solution of handling qualities and dynamics for problems such as variable-speed rotors, heavy-lift configurations, and on-blade control; and (7) precision guidance, navigation, and control capabilities to enable data collection and evaluation for rotorcraft flight experiments, including studies of acoustic properties, vehicle dynamics modeling, noise reduction, and terminal-area operations.