3D Digitizing of the X-38 Space Vehicle

Measuring Systems: ATOS, TRITOP

Keywords: Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD), CAD Comparison

During the development of the X-38 some computer simulations are used to allow an optimization of the design. Therefore it is very important that the form of the actual vehicle matches the form of the CAD construction. For this reason the actual vehicle has to be digitized with high accuracy and high data density. In this application note, we show how the digitizing was done with ATOS and TRITOP and how the data was treated to match the needs of NASA.

3D Digitizing of a X-34 Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Model

Measuring Systems: ATOS

Keywords: Aerodynamics, Wind Tunnel Model, CAD Comparison

As part of the research process, NASA Langley Research Center has employed Rapid Fabrication Techniques to determine the aerodynamic principles of the designed X-34 model in a wind tunnel environment. Using ATOS to digitize this model even smallest deviation to the construction data can be detected. Thus a warp in the model could be detected early on.