RMCEMC December 2006

Download the presentation here

Evaluation of the NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour Using Ultra-Wideband Measurement System

by Dr. Robert Johnk, NIST

Wednesday December 13th, 2006

Location: We will meet at the normal location (Room L107 of College Hilltop Library, 3645 W. 112th Ave., Westminster, CO) at 6:30PM for the pizza social and 7:00PM for the meeting.

Abstract: This talk summarizes a joint NIST-NASA measurement effort to evaluate the electromagnetic penetration of the shuttle Endeavour.  NASA is concerned about the effects that microwave imaging radar systems might have on critical avionics systems in its fleet of space shuttles.  As part of a multifaceted effort, a portable, NIST-developed ultra-wideband measurement system was deployed at the Kennedy Space Center to evaluate electromagnetic penetration in over the frequency range of 30 MHZ – 6 GHz at selected locations inside Endeavour. The measurements were carried out inside a large metal hangar, which exhibited robust reverberant behavior.  A combination of reverb chamber techniques and time/frequency signal processing permitted the evaluation of electromagnetic penetration at six different locations inside the orbiter.

Bio:  Bob Johnk has worked at the NIST Boulder Laboratories for the past 16 years. Bob received his Ph.D degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Colorado in 1990 where he specialized in antennas and electromagnetics. He is currently the leader of the Time-Domain Fields project at NIST.  Bob also has a life outside of NIST and enjoys spending time with his family and enjoying a number of hobbies.

 

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