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Ram Burn Observations - 2 (RAMBO-2)
04.26.13

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Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview

This content was provided by William L. Dimpfl, Ph.D., and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Brief Summary

Ram Burn Observations - 2 (RAMBO-2) is an experiment in which the Department of Defense uses a satellite to observe space shuttle orbital maneuvering system engine burns. Its purpose is to improve plume models, which predict the direction the plume, or rising column of exhaust, will move as the shuttle maneuvers on orbit. Understanding the direction in which the spacecraft engine plume, or exhaust flows could be significant to the safe arrival and departure of spacecraft on current and future exploration missions.

Principal Investigator(s)

  • William L. Dimpfl, Ph.D., Aerospace Corporation, Los Angeles, CA, United States

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Developer(s)

    United States Department of Defense Space Test Program, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Sponsoring Organization

    National Laboratory - Department of Defense (NL-DoD)

    Research Benefits

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    September 2010 - September 2011

    Expeditions Assigned

    25/26,27/28

    Previous ISS Missions

    RAMBO, the predecessor to RAMBO-2 has been performed on several Space Shuttle missions.

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    Experiment Description

    Research Overview

    • Department of Defense (DoD) optical sensors, located on a DoD satellite, make observations of timing and spectral pattern of radiance produced by the plumes from normal Space Shuttle engine firings as well as from dedicated burns of the Space Shuttle Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) engines.

    Description

    Information Pending

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    Information Pending

    Earth Applications

    While interactions at hyperthermal energies are relatively rare on the surface of the earth there are potential applications relevant to the cutting edge of technology, including the understanding of high temperature plasmas and the production and derivation of energy from controlled fusion power sources.

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    Information Pending

    Operational Protocols

    Information Pending

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    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

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    Related Websites

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    Imagery

    image NASA Image: STS007-18-0778 - This image shows the Glow experiment documentation of OMS/RCS pods and vertical stabilizer from STS-007.
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    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.
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