NASA Joins the Race for the Cup
HIGH-FIDELITY COMPUTATIONAL
ANALYSIS tools used for propulsion applications at Lewis Research
Center are joining in the race for the America's Cup, the oldest
trophy in sailing history. An official Space Act Agreement between
Lewis and America True, the San Francisco Yacht Club's challenge
for the America's Cup 2000, calls for research consultation on sail
and mast design.
Designers will use the tools to analytically test the performance
qualities of different sail and mast designs to select the optimal
shapes and material configurations for the racing boat. Computational
analysis measures the effect of elements such as wind and water
as they pass over objects and surfaces.
According to America's Cup innovator Phil Kaiko, engineers at
NASA have the most advanced computers to perform the type of simulation
tests needed for advanced boat design, and their experience using
those computers establishes a competitive advantage for America
True. "The process is not an exact science," Kaiko says.
"You can adjust knobs on the computer to produce any answer
you want. The key is knowing how and when to turn the knobs so you
get the right answer."
Kaiko, who leads the America True design team, also said, "The
contribution is extremely significant because NASA deals with this
research on a daily basis, and their background is unrivaled. What
they'll give us is a reality check on our designs."
"The commonality between the work done at NASA with simulating
jet engine performance and the capabilities required for advanced
boat designs enables America True to benefit from NASA's experiences,"
said America True crew member John Cutler, who is assisting the
sail design team. "The effects of wind and turbulence are not
as important for jet engines because the speed is so fast. But,
on a sailboat traveling at 25 knots, those effects are crucial to
performance."
The America's Cup team that possesses the most advanced design
technology has consistently won the America's Cup since it began
in 1851. The alliance between NASA and America True gives the America's
Cup syndicate a distinct technological advantage over the other
challengers in the field.
This alliance is encouraged through Mission HOME (Harvesting Opportunity
for Mother Earth), the official public awareness campaign of the
U.S. space community. Mission HOME has brought together leading
nonprofit space organizations and aerospace corporations representing
all aspects of U.S. space—civil, commercial and national defense—to
urge Americans to "Take Up Space."
For more information, contact Laurie Stauber at Lewis Research
Center.
Call: 216/433-2820, Fax: 216/433-2555, E-mail: Laurel.J.Stauber@
lerc.nasa.gov
Or contact Chuck Lawrence at Lewis. Call: 216/433-6048, Fax: 216/433-8000,
E-mail: Charles.Lawrence@lerc.nasa.gov
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.
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