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Brandon Smith
Saint Louis University
Marshall Space Flight Center
Supervisor: Mr. Charles (Andy) Finchum
Abstract
The Exploding Wire Gun (EWG), located at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, is a device which uses high-voltage electricity as a means to propel a projectile. The EWG, capable of producing projectile velocities from ~100 m/s to 7 km/s, will be used to simulate a variety of impact scenarios for both space and commercial applications. Prior to implementing full-scale testing, the EWG must be characterized to define the system’s operational range. A design of experiments (DOE) method was used to characterize the gun by comparing velocity data from 32 shots to a set of evaluated variables, which will be discussed in more detail. Velocity measurements were gathered using a variety of instrumentation devices, two of which were designed specifically for the EWG. Initial characterization of the device is complete; foil thickness and applied voltage have the greatest effect on the velocity of a particle. Another DOE will be completed for data comparison in the future. Proper characterization of the gun is needed to ensure the repeatability of gun performance within the given variable parameters which will maximize the reliability and efficiency of the EWG for use with future testing.
Brandon Smith is a Sophomore, Aerospace Engineering student at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology at Saint Louis University. He is a St. Louis native, born and raised 19 years in St. Louis County. Brandon was the Valedictorian of his public high school's class of 486 students before beginning his studies at Saint Louis University. Since starting at Parks in Fall 2006, Brandon has completed an internship with NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL) and completed his first Cooperative Education Program period (Fall 2007) as a Flight Test Engineer in Test Requirements & Analysis for the Boeing Company in St. Louis, MO. He will be returning to work at Boeing this summer. Recently, Brandon was selected to participate in the Department of Defense SMART Program, which will begin in the summer of 2009. In the future, he aspires to conduct research to further advance the space program in the United States and around the world. Branson would love to research satellites and/or rocket propulsion systems while furthering his education with graduate-level studies.
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