Abstract: An air data system is described that includes a cone-shaped probe, a plurality of pressure transducers, and a processing device. The cone-shaped probe includes a first pressure port formed in a substantial tip of the probe and extending therethrough, and a plurality of pressure ports formed in a substantially evenly spaced circular pattern about a sloped surface of the probe and extending through the probe. The plurality of pressure transducers are each configured to receive at least one pressure transferred through at least one of the pressure ports and output one or more signals related to the pressures sensed. The processing device is configured to receive signals originating from the transducers. The processing device is further configured to calculate a static pressure, an angle of attack, and an angle of sideslip based on the received signals.

Abstract: A control system of a spacecraft for controlling two or more sets of collinear control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) comprises an attitude control system. The attitude control system is configured to receive a command to adjust an orientation of the spacecraft, determine an offset for a momentum disk for each of the two or more sets of CMGs that maximizes torque, determine a momentum needed from the two or more sets of CMGs to adjust the orientation of the spacecraft, and calculate a total torque needed by taking the derivative of the momentum. The control system further comprises a momentum actuator control processor coupled to the attitude control system, the momentum actuator control processor configured to calculate a required gimbal movement for each of the CMGs in each of the two or more sets of collinear CMGs from total torque.

Abstract: A method for avoiding singularities in the movement of a set of collinear CMGs in an array of CMGs in a spacecraft is provided. First, a command to adjust an orientation of the spacecraft is received. Then, the momentum needed from the set of collinear CMGs is determined. A dynamic control that determines a momentum path and avoids singularities by rotating the singularities out of the momentum path is used and a required gimbal movement for each of the CMGs in the set of collinear CMGs from the momentum path is calculated.

Abstract: An air data system and method for a rotary aircraft is described. The air data system includes a plurality of flush ports connected via tubing to a plurality of air flow sensors that can measure air flow speeds as low as approximately 0.02 knots. The flush ports are arranged around a main rotor shaft and below a rotor hub of the rotary aircraft to help reduce the impact of rotor downwash. The flush ports and tubing permit air to flow into the air flow sensors, which allows the plurality of air flow sensors to measure speed and direction of cross-wind components of air flow surrounding the rotary aircraft.