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El X-59 de la NASA avanza en las pruebas de preparación para volar


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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)

A man supporting the installation of the X-59 ejection seat.
El técnico de soporte vital de la NASA Matthew Sechler ayuda a instalar un asiento eyectable en el avión X-59, en las instalaciones de Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, en Palmdale, California. La culminación de instalación del asiento marca un hito en la integración de la aeronave mientras se prepara para las pruebas en tierra firme.
Crédito: Lockheed Martin

Read this story in English here.

El equipo que prepara el X-59 de la NASA continúa realizando pruebas en preparación para que el avión supersónico y silencioso realice su primer vuelo. Esto incluye un trío de importantes pruebas estructurales e inspecciones críticas en el camino hacia el vuelo.

El X-59 es un avión experimental que volará más rápido que la velocidad del sonido sin un fuerte estampido sónico. Será el primero de su clase en volar, con el objetivo de recopilar datos de sonido para la misión Quesst de la NASA, que podría abrir la puerta a vuelos supersónicos comerciales sobre tierra en el futuro.

Debido a su diseño único, el equipo de ingenieria del X-59 debe hacer todo lo posible para predecir cada aspecto del avión antes de que despegue, incluyendo cómo se comportarán juntos su fuselaje, las alas y las superficies de control en vuelo. Eso significa que las pruebas en la tierra darán al equipo los datos necesarios para validar los modelos que han desarrollado.

Las pruebas no sólo nos dicen que tan estructuralmente sólido es el avión, sino también qué tipo de fuerzas puede soportar una vez que esté en el aire.

WALT SILVA

WALT SILVA

Investigador científico superior del Centro de Investigación Langley de la NASA en Hampton, Virginia, que dirige las estructuras de la NASA para el X-59.

Las pruebas estructurales del X-59 proporcionan información valiosa para el equipo. Entre 2022 y 2024, los ingenieros recopilaron datos sobre las fuerzas que el avión experimentará en vuelo y los efectos potenciales de las vibraciones en el avión.

“Haces estas pruebas, obtienes los datos, y las cosas se comparan bien en algunas áreas y en otras quieres mejorarlas,” Silva dijo. “Así que lo averiguas todo y luego trabajas para mejorarlo.”

Three men removing the X-59 canopy.
Los técnicos de Lockheed Martin retiran temporalmente la cubierta del X-59 en preparación para la instalación final del asiento eyectable en el avión.
Crédito: Lockheed Martin

A principios de este año, el X-59 se sometió a pruebas de acoplamiento estructural que vieron sus superficies de control, incluyendo sus alerones, aletas y timón, movidos por computadora. Fue la última de tres pruebas estructurales vitales. En 2023, los ingenieros aplicaron “agitadores” a partes del avión para evaluar su reacción a las vibraciones, y a principios de 2022 realizaron un examen de prueba para asegurar que el avión absorberá las fuerzas que experimentará durante el vuelo. Este año se instaló el asiento eyectable del X-59 y pasó su inspección. El asiento eyectable es una medida de seguridad adicional que es crítica para la seguridad del piloto durante todo aspecto del vuelo.

Con las pruebas estructurales y la instalación del asiento eyectable finalizadas, el avion avanzará hacia un nuevo hito: encenderá sus motores para una serie de pruebas en tierra.

El X-59 también tiene por delante la prueba del sistema de aviónica y cableado extensivo para detectar posibles interferencias electromagnéticas, imitando las condiciones de vuelo en un entorno de pruebas en tierra y finalmente, completar las pruebas de rodaje para validar la movilidad en tierra antes de su primer vuelo.

“Los primeros vuelos siempre son muy intensos,” dijo Natalie Spivey, ingeniera aeroespacial del Centro de Investigación de Vuelo Armstrong de la NASA en Edwards, California. “Hay mucha anticipación, pero estamos listos para llegar allí y ver cómo responde el avion en el aire. Será muy emocionante.”

Artículo Traducido por: Nicolas Cholula y Elena Aguirre

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Sep 03, 2024
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