Acceleration Measurements in Reduced Gravity by Fiber Optic Accelerometer

[ 2001 / 8 / 9-17 Johnson Space Center ]

ABSTRACT DESCRIPTION TEAM THANKS TECHNICAL

Current methods of making μg measurements use very expensive accelerometers that are based on measuring the change in an electromagnetic field to determine acceleration. This experiment utilizes new optical techniques based on fiber Bragg gratings that measure the tension in a fiber-optic cable. This technology allows for the design of an optical accelerometer, which will be able to measure μg accelerations more accurately and at a much lower cost than traditional accelerometers. Testing this new optical accelerometer aboard the KC-135 will give a wide range of accelerations that will be recorded and compared to the traditional accelerometer. The data from both accelerometers will be reduced and used to extrapolate the flight path of the KC-135. The two data sets will be compared for accuracy and correctness verses the actual known flight plan of the KC-135.

Test Objectives:

To evaluate the performance of the new accelerometer in a wide range of accelerations.
To obtain precise data from our optical accelerometer.
To verify the performance of an optical accelerometer in microgravity environment, and in a varying gravity environment.