CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB

www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org

NEXT WEEK (AT UTC - Engineering, Math and Computer Science Building, Room 344)____________

Monday, March 22, noon, UT-Chattanooga - Engineering, Math and Computer Science Building - Room 344

NOTE:  Lunch will NOT be provided so feel free to brown bag it.  Parking is available

Topic: "Update on SIMCenter Activities" - Dr. D. L. Whitfield, SimCenter Director

Established in 2002, the UT SimCenter at Chattanooga assists the US government and industry with analysis, design and certification of air, land, sea and space systems.  You may remember an introduction to SimCenter activities last year at the E-Week Kickoff Luncheon where we were introduced to some very exciting projects including research on tiltrotor aircraft maneuvering and submarine propulsion.  Dr. D. L. Whitfield, Director of the SimCenter, will discuss new activities at the center and provide updates on the projects familiar to us.

This week, we will be meeting at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s new Engineering building in Room 344.  Parking is available in the parking garage across from McClellan Gymnasium or in the lot near Engel Stadium with shuttle service available.

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING________________________________________________

Topic: "NASA’s X-37 Advanced Technology Flight Demonstrator" - David Jacobson, Marshall Space Flight Center

The presentation focused on a discussion of the objectives of the X-37 Program, how X-37 fits into NASA’s overall planning and its future possibilities to support the Space Exploration Initiative.  Emphasis was given to the Approach and Landing Test Vehicle (ALTV) development and flight, Orbital Vehicle (OV) concept and technology development as well as both ALTV’s and OV’s potential benefit to future space access. 

The X-37 Flight Demonstrator Project’s flight tests will help revitalize America’s capability to build and operate an integrated space transportation system.  The X-37 Project employs a three-phased approach to flight testing: (1) X40A, (2) ALTV high altitude, and (3) OV.  The X-37 provides a versatile technology platform to validate important technologies and obtain flight environment data during critical ascent, on-orbit, reentry, and landing stages of the mission.

The ALTV will be dropped from a B52 at approximately 45,000 feet.  It will then use its aerodynamic shape, advanced navigation system and control surfaces to autonomously land at the Dryden Flight Research Center.  The information gained from the ALTV flight will provide valuable data for the development of the Orbital vehicle to potentially be flown by 2008.

The Orbital Vehicle will be launched on an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, operate in orbit without a crew, and return to Earth.  OV flight tests will mature and validate advanced high-risk technologies for hot structures, thermal protection systems, and lithium-ion batteries.  The OV is being designed and built to support a 270-day mission and will operate with similar functionality as the Space Shuttle, but will be automated and fly without a pilot. The OV is scheduled to make its first flight in the 2006-2007 timeframe.

Our thanks to Jim Barrott for the meeting summary.

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________

March 29:  Tour:  Top Flight Paper Products, Don Pauls (meet at 1300 Central Avenue)

April 5:  “Education and Research in the Future” - Dr. Bob Papp, President, Accurate Automation

April 12:  UTC Engineering Design Team

April 19:  UTC Engineering Design Team

EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS__________________________________________________

The Chattanooga Engineers Club would like to begin allowing recipients of this email newsletter to have control over their account.  What this means is that you will be in charge of changing information about your email address as you see fit.  If you would like to start using another email address for these bulletins, you will need to subscribe a new email address and unsubscribe your old one.  The email server will be instructed to send out a password reminder email to each recipient.  We will send out monthly password reminders for approximately three months.  This email will contain instructions on how to log on and change your password (if you want).  This allows you to administer your own email account, and allows you to set a few preferences as well.

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________

On March 22, we will be meeting at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s new Engineering , Math and Computer Science Building in Room 344.  Parking is available in the parking garage or in the lot near Engel Stadium with shuttle service available.

QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________