Abstract

This paper reports the results of the aerodynamic deformation measurements of the meter-scale, entire shape, actual UAV in the wind tunnel using a video grammetry technique. The measured airplane was the airplane for Mars exploration being developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Japanese universities. Its main wing span length was 2.4 m. The video grammetry measurement was performed using VICON’s system. Retroactive markers and stickers were put on the airplane. JAXA’s 6.5 m × 5.5 m Low-Speed Wind Tunnel was used. The airplane was mounted on the strut support with pitch-free or pitch-locked conditions. The deformations of the main wing bending, the main wing twisting, the tail boom bending, and the elevator deflection angle change were revealed quantitatively. The bending stiffness of a main wing spar that was designed as a safety factor of 2.8 at load factor of 5 was sufficient. The main wing spar was located around a center of pressure of an airfoil and it showed enough stiffness for twisting at nominal condition. The effects of the main wing bending and twisting, and the tail boom bending on the aerodynamic performance were estimated but they were in an acceptable range from the standpoint of the controllability of the aerodynamic performance using control surfaces. Even though the servo motor was located near the elevator and the linkage between the servo motor and the elevator was short, the measured elevator deflection angle was at most 4% smaller than the angle at no-wind condition. The obtained results and presented method are useful for control, flight data analysis, and design of lightweight airplanes.

Highlights

  • Airplane for Mars exploration (Mars airplane) is a new Mars observation platform that enables wide-range observation from low altitude

  • This paper reports the results of the aerodynamic deformation measurements of the meter-scale, entire shape, actual Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the wind tunnel using a video grammetry technique

  • Even though the servo motor was located near the elevator and the linkage between the servo motor and the elevator was short, the measured elevator deflection angle was at most 4% smaller than the angle at no-wind condition

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Summary

Introduction

Airplane for Mars exploration (Mars airplane) is a new Mars observation platform that enables wide-range observation from low altitude. The flight test of the Mars airplane has several difficulties. Average atmospheric temperature on Mars is about −40 degC. To simulate such flight environment, the Mars airplane has to conduct flight tests at high altitude atmosphere on Earth. The test airplane is expensive because the airplane is not a mass production and it has special payloads and avionics for academic research. To fly in such rare atmosphere, the Mars airplane has to be lightweight. The amount of the deformation of the Mars airplane may be relatively large Due to such reasons, even though the flight test of the Mars airplane is important and possible, it is highly difficult and expensive

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