Enginnering and Tecnology (Lets talk science 2025) Flashcards

(62 cards)

1
Q

What is March in relation to an object’s speed?

A

The ratio of an object’s speed to the speed of sound in air

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2
Q

Define Altitude.

A

Height above Earth’s surface

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3
Q

What is the role of aerospace engineers?

A

Design and build aircraft and spacecraft

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4
Q

Why is safety crucial in aerospace engineering?

A

Extensive testing is done before human flights

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5
Q

What types of tests are conducted before human use?

A

Tests include:
* Wind tunnel testing
* Flying scale models
* Ground-based tests of components

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6
Q

What is the purpose of wind tunnel testing?

A

Used to study airflow around objects

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7
Q

List the advantages of wind tunnel testing.

A
  • Reproducible results
  • Safe (no humans involved)
  • Easy observation and photography
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8
Q

What techniques are used in wind tunnel testing?

A
  • Tufts of string or fog to visualize airflow
  • Measuring pressure at different points
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9
Q

What does CFD stand for in wind tunnel testing?

A

Computational Fluid Dynamics

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10
Q

What are flying models used for in aerospace testing?

A

Scale models are flown to validate wind tunnel and CFD results

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11
Q

Name the types of flying models.

A
  • Free-flight models
  • Radio-controlled models
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12
Q

What was the CF-105 Arrow?

A

Canada’s first supersonic aircraft aimed to reach Mach 2

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13
Q

What were the testing methods used for the Avro Arrow?

A

Used rocket-launched Free Flight Test Models (1/8 scale)

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14
Q

What challenges did the Avro Arrow project face?

A

Limited success due to tracking equipment failures

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15
Q

What is the significance of the F-1 engine?

A

Powered the Saturn V rocket with 1.5 million pounds of thrust

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16
Q

What did the F-1 engine burn per second?

A

15 tonnes of fuel per second across five engines

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17
Q

What is the purpose of test stands for rocket engines?

A
  • Contain the engine
  • Withstand vibrations
  • Hold large fuel tanks
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18
Q

What ensures safety and reliability in aviation?

A

Extensive testing of aircraft and spacecraft

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19
Q

Why is flying considered the safest mode of transportation?

A

Due to strict testing and safety protocols

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20
Q

What are ejection seats used for?

A

Allow pilots to escape aircraft in emergencies

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21
Q

What was the Convair B-58 Hustler?

A

The first supersonic jet bomber (Mach 2, 60,000 ft)

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22
Q

What were the escape capsules for the B-58 designed for?

A

To allow safe ejection at high speeds and altitudes

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23
Q

What is the significance of the Space Shuttle in flight testing?

A

Launched like a rocket, landed like a glider

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24
Q
A
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25
What major problem was revealed during the shuttle tests?
A major problem in the flight control system
26
What was learned from the Comet disasters?
Metal fatigue from pressure changes led to major improvements in aircraft design
27
What was the Controlled Impact Demonstration (CID)?
A planned crash test for safety research using a Boeing 720
28
What were the goals of the CID test?
* Test anti-misting kerosene * Study survivability of crash * Test seat belts and fire-resistant materials
29
What is radar?
Radio Detection and Ranging
30
How does radar work?
Sends out radio waves and measures how long they take to bounce back
31
What are the five main parts of radar?
* Transmitter * Antenna * Duplexer * Receiver * Display
32
What is the significance of the Doppler Effect in radar?
Describes how the frequency of a wave changes based on motion
33
What are the two main types of radar?
* Pulse Radar * Continuous Wave (CW) Radar
34
What is the function of Ground Penetrating Radar?
Used in archaeology and geology to find buried objects
35
What are some challenges faced by radar systems?
* Jamming * Clutter * Interference
36
What is the difference between radar and LIDAR?
LIDAR uses light pulses instead of radio waves
37
What is the purpose of stealth aircraft?
To be hard to detect by radar
38
What was the Blackbird Program?
A CIA project to create a stealthy, high-speed, high-altitude plane
39
What is unique about flying wing aircraft?
No fuselage or tail; all components housed within the wing
40
What was the B-2 Spirit Bomber?
A flying wing stealth bomber with a wingspan of 52 m
41
What are artificial satellites?
Human-made objects launched into orbit
42
What was the first artificial satellite?
Sputnik I (Soviet Union, 1957)
43
List the functions of satellites.
* Communication * Navigation * Observation
44
What are the types of satellite orbits?
* Low Earth Orbit (LEO) * Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) * Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
45
What are the primary functions of satellites?
Earth monitoring, weather tracking, environmental studies, high-resolution imaging, studying the Universe, gathering military intelligence ## Footnote High-resolution imaging examples include monitoring coastal erosion, crops, and hurricanes.
46
What is Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and its characteristics?
160–1,000 km; closest to Earth; short orbit time (~90 mins); best for high-res imaging and Earth observation; includes ISS and Sun-synchronous Orbits (SSO) ## Footnote LEO is ideal for satellites that require frequent data collection from the Earth's surface.
47
What is Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) used for?
Navigation (e.g., GPS); covers more area than LEO but has weaker signals ## Footnote MEO satellites are positioned between LEO and GEO, allowing for broader coverage.
48
What defines Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO)?
~35,786 km; matches Earth’s rotation; stays above the same spot; great for communications, TV, and weather satellites ## Footnote GEO includes geostationary orbits, which remain fixed relative to a point on the Earth's surface.
49
What are the characteristics of High Earth Orbit (HEO)?
Above GEO; used for long-duration missions and specialized satellites ## Footnote HEO is less commonly used but essential for certain scientific and exploratory missions.
50
What is the primary power source for satellites?
Mainly solar panels ## Footnote Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, powering satellite systems.
51
What materials are used for temperature and radiation protection in satellites?
Materials like aluminum shield electronics ## Footnote These materials help ensure satellite functionality in harsh space environments.
52
What are the two types of communication systems in satellites?
Uplink (Earth → satellite), Downlink (satellite → Earth) ## Footnote These systems enable data transmission between the satellite and ground stations.
53
What happens to satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) when they stop working?
Can be de-orbited and burn up in the atmosphere ## Footnote This process helps minimize space debris.
54
What can be done with non-functioning satellites in High Earth Orbit (HEO)?
Can be sent into space to avoid collisions ## Footnote This strategy helps mitigate the risk of space debris and collisions.
55
What is the estimated number of satellites in orbit by 2030?
100,000+ satellites ## Footnote This increase raises concerns about light pollution, space traffic, and potential collisions.
56
What is the EcoJet Project?
A research initiative by Bombardier to make aircraft more sustainable and fuel-efficient; focuses on new technologies and designs ## Footnote The project aims to innovate aircraft shapes for better performance.
57
What are the main parts of a traditional airplane design?
Fuselage, wings, engines, tail ## Footnote Each component plays a crucial role in the aircraft's performance and stability.
58
What is the Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) design?
Fuselage and wings blend together, generating more lift and having less drag ## Footnote BWB designs can improve fuel efficiency and passenger space.
59
What is the role of aerodynamics in aircraft design?
Study of how air moves around objects; a more aerodynamic shape means less drag and needs less fuel ## Footnote EcoJet aims to cut carbon emissions significantly through improved aerodynamics.
60
What historical aircraft is noted as the first wing-body design?
Westland Dreadnought (1924) in England ## Footnote This aircraft set the stage for future innovations in wing-body designs.
61
What has Bombardier been doing since 2017 for the EcoJet Project?
Building and testing scaled-down prototypes, developing new control laws ## Footnote Progress continues towards creating full-sized passenger-ready versions.
62
What potential impacts could the EcoJet lead to?
Significant reductions in airplane emissions, quieter flights, increased capacity for passengers or cargo ## Footnote While still in research, the EcoJet shows promise for sustainable aviation.