Start reading Sutton if you haven’t already. There’s pdf versions that can be found for free and I’m sure there’s audiobooks or something similar out there too to help speed up the process.
The cold reality is you’re not going to “master” any of it quickly. There’s a reason “Rocket Science” is referred to the same “Brain Surgery” is in terms of a metric of highest difficulty. That being said you can still learn a lot through numerous resources out there. No one is expecting an intern to be as knowledgeable as experienced engineers with MS (unless it’s SpaceX). Trying to act like you are will be obvious to them and likely annoying to work with. Just stay engaged and be a sponge. Ask a lot of questions and if they don’t always have time to answer them in the moment write them all down and ask to go over them once they do have time. Good luck.
Check to see if your university has a Formula SAE team. As an AE student you can help design and fabricate the airfoils of a Formula one car. Lightweight aeropackages with a low lift/drag ratio and a large downforce win races.
Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed (Engineering and Performance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0837601428?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
*edit: forgot to include link
This is what we use in our grad propulsion class. It’s actually a really good text. I do propulsion research and find myself referencing it regularly.
Failure is not an option is a memoir from the Flight director for the Mercury and Apollo Missions.
Ignition! is a book that talks about the history of Liquid Rocketry.
I’m a fan of Fundamentals of Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control by Markley and Crassidis for ADCS specifically. For orbital mechanics and more general info it’s hard to beat Vallado
Thanks a lot! I remember I found one online but it wasn't printable, requiring a lot of work, and the details specially for the rotor hub weren't quite how I wanted. So I ended up modelling this one. I made the model and instructions available here, if you are interested.
KSP really helps make things more intuitive, and it's a lot more accessible (game play wise) than Orbiter. Back when I was young I took an orbital mechanics class, did not not understand sling shot maneuvers. KSP really helped visualize things.
Aircraft Engine Design this is the book we used for our aircraft engine design course during my minor education for aeropropulsion. Hope it helps :)
OP, I recommend you buy a copy of "Low Speed Wind Tunnel Testing" by Pope. The people giving you simplifed answers are wrong. If you dont have a solid understanding of the fundamentals you will get garbage results. Reddit is unfortunately full of ignorant yet confident know-it-alls.
This is a very good book to get you started:
https://www.amazon.com/Low-Speed-Tunnel-Testing-Jewel-Barlow/dp/0471557749
I'm also Turkish. You can DM in Turkish, if you want to. I've come to realise that JSBSim does provide a good interface between you and flight dynamics if you can't write them yourself (unfamiliar academic field) or it's a side task and doesn't affect the project on a great scale. It's also quite easy to integrate it in your project if you're working with Python. However, if flight dynamics are your primary concern or if you have the spare time, you should stick by nonlinear dynamics of your model. You can find them in academic journals. You can try semanticscholar for example. JSBSim is good enough I suppose but using other dynamics is better in my opinion. JSBSim falls short on many areas. You can find the dynamics of the system in their manual. It should be in the appendix. For an example of a journal containing the dynamics of the model can be https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Nonlinear-Ten-Degree-of-Freedom-Dynamics-Model-of-a-Colgren-Keshmiri/291fd65eb13043cbbdbbf8452ec9ceccd730bcae with the aerodynamic database gathered from "Development of an aerodynamic database for a generic hypersonic air vehicle". You should read carefully about the initial conditions and the usage areas of the model. I was working on dogfight between two fighter jets but couldn't find any good model that satifies high angle of attacks which is expected for a combat aircraft.
The other bible is Wayne Johnson which you can get much cheaper than Leishman's book. Both are great, but probably go way more in depth than OP is looking for
Get the book: Advice to Rocket Scientists. https://www.amazon.com/Advice-Rocket-Scientists-Survival-Engineers/dp/156347655X once I graduated this book was probably the single most helpful book for Setting realistic expectations to successfully navigate the actual working environment.
I would suggest you read Huzel and Huang's textbook
Amazon Link : https://www.amazon.com/Engineering-Liquid-Propellant-Progress-Astronautics-Aeronautics/dp/1563470136
It is technical and it will give you a good idea about what you will be dealing with.
"Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing" by Barlow, Rae, and Pope is a great resource for wind tunnels. There should be a lot of information in there on the physics behind wind tunnels and how to test with them and get useful data/measurements.
For flight dynamics, I've got Modern Flight Dynamics by Scmidt on my bookshelf. The book by Stengel looks pretty good too. I've got one of his other books called Optimal Control and Estimation that I like.
For structures of flight vehicles, I don't have any references I like on the subject unfortunately. The books I used for it in school were alright, but not great in my opinion. Lots of books on Amazon will let you have a preview, so you could skim a few there and then secure a copy from your library.
So almost no one actually does these things out in the world, like Boeing has a very small aeroelastic group. If case the lack of comments didn't clue you in.
​
That being said if understanding structural dynamics and aeroelasticity is what you are going after, how much in the way of mathematics do you remember? Differential equations esp.
​
I'm going to recommend getting a copy of this and browsing through it, seeing what you can and can't follow.
​
My copy of Aeroelasticity has chapters dedicated to compressible and in-compressible flow. I used to really be into this but didn't get a job doing it.
​
I guess finite element stuff couldn't hurt, and might help visualize things like stiffness and mass matrices, but that in a way just a method of approaching partial differential equations.
git is definitely confusing at first but at its heart there are only a couple of core concepts. You can ignore most of the stuff around the edges. I strongly recommend this free book.
For coding, there are a ton of ways to learn so you want to find something that works for you. A popular way to start is to find a tutorial or video series on basic Python, and then start solving puzzles. Advent of Code is a popular site with lots of well-crafted puzzles for beginners and experts alike.
At the end of the day, the only way to learn how to code is to do it a lot. So find something that interests you and involves coding and get started. For me, I wanted to learn how to make a website, so I just kept reading tutorials and tinkering until I could make a really really bad website. Then eventually it became a sort of bad website. And then eventually I got hired making OK websites. Turns out programming skills translate well between disciplines, so I went from making OK websites to making OK ground system automation software. These days I like to think I'm writing pretty good software. It's a process, haha.
I'm not sure about mechanical. But I'm pretty sure knowing how to write some decent code will be a useful skill in any engineering. For git, check out Scott Chacon's free book. For coding, that's a pretty broad topic. I could give some advice but it's going to be about finding the way that clicks for you. Rather than tell you what worked for me, I'd recommend just seeking out intro lessons in whatever method you prefer, and keep an eye out for opportunities in school.
Here is a book that should get you started. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1107073448?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
There's a reason this topic isn't written about much beyond research papers. At those high temperatures (5000K +) the chemistry becomes very important and makes the problem infinitely more complex. The institutions studying those temperatures use super computers to attempt to create simulations of the plasma.
To answer some of your specific questions: degrees of freedom do not change based on temperature those are intrinsic properties of the molecule. Partition functions have assumptions built into each model (harmonic vs anharmonic oscillators for the vibrational partition function) with more accurate models being more computationally expensive. NIST has a good database for the constants used in these equations but, it is up to you which model is worth the effort to use. Internal energy and the translational, rotational, vibrational, electronic states are linked.
If you want to learn more about this I would recommend looking into quantum mechanics lectures on YouTube.
Finding textbooks about ascent trajectories isn't easy, most of them just assume you're already in orbit and start off with 2-body problem. There's a chapter or two in Wiesel's spaceflight dynamics amazon link that go over gravity turns and linear tangent steering. It's not a particularly noteworthy book otherwise.
In general, optimal ascent trajectories for boost stages just follow gravity turns with load relief to some degree. You can be more "optimal", but the added loads will make the structures so heavy it's not worth it. You can do more with upper stages when you're outside the atmosphere (re: linear tangent steering) by purposefully flying at "angle of attack" (in this context, thrust vector isn't perfectly lined up with velocity vector) but you're still only going to get a few % at best extra deltaV out of it.
It is a fun field. While I would poke at myself for 'just' making boxes that hold the important stuff, getting to work closely with electrical engineers on thermal management and RF/structure interactions was rewarding. I can also brag I have fixed software errors in hardware now.
I would recommend a book I have not read yet, but have had on my list for a long time: Vibration Analysis For electronic equipment. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047137685X/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_8?smid=A2SFH68ZG8QDCF&psc=1
i appreciate this so, so much. спасибо!
would you be willing to do the pro/con for one more? (i, too, prefer ryzen over intel… like, by far.)
hi! thank you so kindly for the reply— i think it will be mostly CAD renderings but unfortunately i cannot predict very well what exactly i will be doing, so actually yes your theory of just telling me what YOU have works perfect!!
i found one i am considering.. would you be willing to check this out for me?
i appreciate your time and consideration, truly -Elle
If you are doing space stuff SMAD I think is a pretty standard one. I used it for most of my space systems engineering masters
Space Mission Engineering: The New SMAD (Space Technology Library, Vol. 28) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1881883159/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_X58EYEQWQQS4RGF5Y7XG
PDAS is a great resource. If you're looking for a deeper theoretical understanding, the book Theory of Wing Sections by Abbott and von Doenhoff is another great resource on the subject and is under $20.
https://www.amazon.com/Asteroid-Mining-101-Wealth-Economy/dp/0990584208
You could probably find this on eBay or second hand retailer. I have a copy, it’s pretty fascinating. I’ve always been really interested in the topic.
Thank you for the suggestions and commentary!
Firstly, I was aware of the books, but I have now bumped them up on my reading list - thank you so much!
Secondly, I just wanted to add some context about the word "improvement". From a historical and crucially, an economic perspective, we don't particularly care about whether an improvement is "drastic" or "non-drastic" in terms of whether it represents a large departure from current engineering practice. What is cared about is the ultimate change in the utility gained by customers - in this case airlines. Because of this, a series of incremental improvements can often trump one drastic one in terms of improving attributes that customers care about.
Here's two examples: 1. Manuel Trajtenberg's study of the CT scanner 2. Samuel Hollander's study of DuPont Rayon plant cost reductions. In both they find that the vast majority of the improvement in the underlying product (or process in the case of Rayon) was attributable to a series of minor improvements over the course of 10-30 years far after the product was first brought to market. Crucially, to figure this out, each author had to do vastly detailed studies of the products being introduced, speak to engineers, and in the case of Hollander, be given full access to all of DuPont's relevant records. I obviously can't do all of this, but the need to leverage industry-specific engineering knowledge to identify the specific ways products have improved motivated me to ask actual practicing aerospace engineers!
From <em>Principles of Helicopter Aerodynamics</em> by Gordon Leishman:
>The selection of the number of blades for a rotor (for a given blade area or solidity) is usually based on dynamic rather than aerodynamic criteria, that is, it is based on the minimization of vibratory loads, which is easier for rotors that use a larger number of blades. Fewer blades, however, will usually reduce blade and hub weight, minimize hub drag, and may give better reliability and maintainability because of a lower parts count. Lighter weight helicopters usually have two blades, whereas heavier helicopters generally have four, five, seven or even eight blades. Aerodynamically the induced tip-loss effects are reduced by increasing the number of blades, but the effects on induced power are relatively small for the high aspect ratio blades typical of helicopter rotors.
For an aerospace engineer, any gift related to SR-71 Blackbird is a safe bet.
There isn't really such a thing as a "best" design, that is always dictated by the objectives. Almost any structure you can conceive of will be able to withstand 450 Newtons (though you will definitely need to withstand a moment, not just a force), so its a question of what you are limited by (weight, cost, manufacturability).
​
Seeing as you are using wood and probably cant get too complicated with your manufacturing, I would recommend a box. Here are some slides on related concepts: slides
​
Make an educated decision, pick a design, do some statics calculations, and refine it. better yet, test it.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.in/Aircraft-Design-Engineering-Approach-Aerospace/dp/1119953405&ved=2ahUKEwjRpMmtz_X0AhVdSWwGHVSbCPwQFnoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3RBINCA5vni4Son-qwPedL You should refer to this,there is chapter for tail d3sign go through it. U r gonna need xflr5 that's a low fidelity analysis software for measuring aircraft stability If you want to do it on professional scale then i think u r gonna need simulink ,flightgear and datcom code
Not a problem! XFLR5 is able to analyze leading edge slats and you can specify the size of the slat in % chord which is nice. Unfortunately, per this forum, XFLR5 cannot do fowler flaps as there are no options available for it.
I found this report about the slotted fowler flap and it looks like from their references they used javafoil for some of their analysis. That might help some too.
[edit] words
I can recommend two good books on this very topic.
For yourself
https://www.amazon.com/Neurotribes-Legacy-Autism-Future-Neurodiversity/dp/0399185615/
For your family
https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Jump-Inner-Thirteen-Year-Old-Autism/dp/081298515X/
Long road ahead for you. I think you'll be fine though.
If you were doing pure axial it's pretty straight forward. P/L, where L is the sum of the lengths of the flanges and the web.
​
Profiles with a lot of area away from the CG (like a Z or I beam), are usually under bending though. Then things with units of force/distance usually mean something different. Look up stuff about shear flow and complex bending.
​
https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Structures-Dover-Aeronautical-Engineering/dp/0486485803
Find that book at your school library, go to chapter 6.
May I ask what's your take on this book https://www.amazon.ca/Astronautics-Physics-Flight-Ulrich-Walter/dp/3319743724 ? It looks pretty comprehensive.
Fundamentals of Aerospace Engineering. Really helped me understand the basics and spark my interest even more. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Aerospace-Engineering-Beginners-Guide/dp/1508587590
Heres one for 11 usd, Im no math major but that seems pretty close.
The FAA has a large pile of advisory circulars that talk about how to show compliance to various regs, including airworthiness standards for different types of aircraft. The FAA presumably has presentations that help explain it. Also certain books talk about it, I think the pink Niu book has a chapter dedicated to the topic but it might be slightly dated.
Can't recommend this book enough: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691149216/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_kNXWFbBQPRN51
Also check out px4, ardupilot, beta flight source code and documentation for some ideas as well.
General Aviation Aircraft Design by Gudmundson
Also, check out Nicolai and Raymer. You might also find Jane's all world Aircraft catalog useful.
This should about do. Only thing I reccomend is buying 2 8GB SODIMM sticks to uprade the memory to 16 gigs. Should set you back another 60, give or take.
I would recommend Anderson's book on the X-15. Dr. Anderson is one of the leading experts in aerodynamics, specifically hypersonics. He's written "the" books in these fields and also is a Curator at the Smithsonian. He gives some high-level explanations of hypersonics and technical challenges of the program, and also give a lot of the history.
I can't recommend this book enough for learning C++. I learned from it in college and it made an excellent foundation for everything else I learned later. I went from that book to teaching myself how to use basic robotics and later UART and I2C devices. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0134448286/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_iHtqFbGGAYH9Q
This book is cheap and will give you all you need to know and more. There is also a really good chapter on orbital mechanics in “Fundamentals of Spacecraft Design” which is an AIAA education series book. Would highly recommend reading that.
"Dynamics of Atmospheric Flight" by Etkin has been republished by Dover Books and is available new for $17 from Amazon at the moment.
Aerodynamics is a math heavy subject. You're not going to escape it.
There are books geared toward the pilot/hobbyist audience you might find interesting as well like Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators.