SAWE Technical Papers

@inproceedings{3828,

title = {3828. Biomimetic Swimming Taxidermy Duck Robot},

author = {Darion Vosbein and Kathryn McDonagh and Sean Goodyear and Mostafa Hassanalian},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3828-biomimetic-swimming-taxidermy-duck-robot/},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-05-20},

urldate = {2025-05-20},

booktitle = {84th SAWE International Conference on Mass Properties Engineering},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {Unmanned vehicles (UVs), commonly known as drones, have experienced rapid technological advancements in recent years, revolutionizing a wide range of industries from logistics to agriculture. In the context of ecological and environmental sciences, drones have emerged as a powerful tool for wildlife monitoring, enabling researchers to collect high-resolution data with minimal disruption to animal behavior and natural habitats. However, conventional drones—characterized by their rigid structures, propeller noise, and artificial appearance—can inadvertently introduce stress or behavioral changes in wildlife due to their intrusive presence.

In response to these limitations, the field has seen a growing interest in biomimicry, the engineering approach that draws inspiration from biological forms and behaviors. This method has proven particularly promising in the design of bioinspired drones that more closely resemble natural wildlife in both appearance and movement. By mimicking the locomotion and visual profile of animals, such devices can better blend into ecosystems and minimize their ecological footprint.

Among these innovations are drones that leverage taxidermy—using the preserved bodies of animals as the basis for mechanical systems. This approach creates a highly realistic façade that enhances stealth and enables the devices to be perceived as part of the natural environment. The use of taxidermized birds, especially species like the Mallard duck, has demonstrated potential for both aquatic and aerial surveillance applications. Flapping-wing drones and swimming robotic birds combine the advantages of camouflage with functional mobility, allowing for the discreet collection of data in wetlands and other sensitive ecosystems.

These biomimetic devices offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional tracking methods, such as tagging or trapping, which can be harmful or stressful to wildlife. Additionally, the integration of modern sensors, microcontrollers, and remote operation capabilities into these platforms allows for real-time data acquisition and expanded deployment range, opening new avenues for ecological monitoring and conservation efforts.

As biomimetic drone development continues to evolve, it holds great promise for reshaping how we observe and study wildlife—providing tools that are not only technologically sophisticated but also harmoniously integrated into the environments they monitor.},

keywords = {Student Papers},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3830,

title = {3830. A Mallard-Based Flapping Wing Aerial System},

author = {Darion Vosbein and Jared Upshaw and Samuel Maimako and Mostafa Hassanalian},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3830-a-mallard-based-flapping-wing-aerial-system/},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-05-20},

urldate = {2025-05-20},

booktitle = {84th SAWE International Conference on Mass Properties Engineering},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {Unmanned vehicles (UVs), commonly known as drones, have experienced rapid technological advancements in recent years, revolutionizing a wide range of industries from logistics to agriculture. In the context of ecological and environmental sciences, drones have emerged as a powerful tool for wildlife monitoring, enabling researchers to collect high-resolution data with minimal disruption to animal behavior and natural habitats. However, conventional drones—characterized by their rigid structures, propeller noise, and artificial appearance—can inadvertently introduce stress or behavioral changes in wildlife due to their intrusive presence.

In response to these limitations, the field has seen a growing interest in biomimicry, the engineering approach that draws inspiration from biological forms and behaviors. This method has proven particularly promising in the design of bioinspired drones that more closely resemble natural wildlife in both appearance and movement. By mimicking the locomotion and visual profile of animals, such devices can better blend into ecosystems and minimize their ecological footprint.

Among these innovations are drones that leverage taxidermy—using the preserved bodies of animals as the basis for mechanical systems. This approach creates a highly realistic façade that enhances stealth and enables the devices to be perceived as part of the natural environment. The use of taxidermized birds, especially species like the Mallard duck, has demonstrated potential for both aquatic and aerial surveillance applications. Flapping-wing drones and swimming robotic birds combine the advantages of camouflage with functional mobility, allowing for the discreet collection of data in wetlands and other sensitive ecosystems.

These biomimetic devices offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional tracking methods, such as tagging or trapping, which can be harmful or stressful to wildlife. Additionally, the integration of modern sensors, microcontrollers, and remote operation capabilities into these platforms allows for real-time data acquisition and expanded deployment range, opening new avenues for ecological monitoring and conservation efforts.

As biomimetic drone development continues to evolve, it holds great promise for reshaping how we observe and study wildlife—providing tools that are not only technologically sophisticated but also harmoniously integrated into the environments they monitor.},

keywords = {Student Papers},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3833,

title = {3833. Path Planning for Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Underground Mining},

author = {Narges Bagheri and Darion Vosbein and Hassan Khaniani and Mostafa Hassanalian},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3833-path-planning-for-autonomous-unmanned-ground-vehicles-in-underground-mining/},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-05-20},

urldate = {2025-05-20},

booktitle = {84th SAWE International Conference on Mass Properties Engineering},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {Autonomous robotic navigation in underground mining environments poses significant challenges due to confined spaces, poor lighting, and the absence of GPS signals. This study presents the design and implementation of an autonomous navigation system for the Husky unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), utilizing LIDAR-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) within the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework. The system enables real-time mapping, obstacle avoidance, and both global and local path planning in GPS-denied environments. The performance of navigation system was validated through simulations in Gazebo and field tests in two physical environments: the Bunker Lab at New Mexico Tech and the Missouri S&T Experimental Mine. These tests confirmed the Husky’s ability to navigate complex terrain and generate accurate 2D occupancy maps without prior environmental knowledge.},

keywords = {Student Papers},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3835,

title = {3835. Vibration Characterization for Active Damping in a 2U CubeSat Payload for Rocketry Applications},

author = {Ellen Froelich},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3835-vibration-characterization-for-active-damping-in-a-2u-cubesat-payload-for-rocketry-applications/},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-05-20},

urldate = {2025-05-20},

booktitle = {84th SAWE International Conference on Mass Properties Engineering},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {Vibration damping is essential to protect certain flight equipment and avionics, ensuring a successful flight in rocketry. The two main types of damping are passive

and active damping. Passive damping uses materials to absorb shock and vibration during flight. This works under certain conditions but is not always sufficient. Active

damping, however, offers more effective results. This damping method uses a data processor to assess the system’s vibration state and sends this information to a

controller, which determines the appropriate action to reduce the vibration on the system, acting as a closed loop system.

To implement effective damping, the vibrations the system experiences during flight need to be characterized. This includes determining the modes of vibration the system

has, their locations, frequencies, and resulting displacements. The objective of the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities Rocket Team’s 2U CubeSat payload for the 2025

International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) is to characterize these vibrations that the CubeSat is experiencing during a flight to an altitude of 30,000

feet. Once the vibrations are characterized, an active damping system can be programmed and developed to reduce those vibrations.},

keywords = {Student Papers},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3796,

title = {3796. Why Belong to a Professional Society like SAWE},

author = {William Boze},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3796-why-belong-to-a-professional-engineering-society/},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

urldate = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

pages = {15},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

organization = {SAWE},

abstract = {The decision to become a member of a professional association has always been a factor of perceived value; That is, what is the cost of membership and what benefits are obtained in return. The changes to the economic climate have meant that individuals place greater emphasis on the perceived value of any membership and examine in more detail if membership of an association provides value to them. But what if we alter the perception and view the membership fee as a price of admission, enabling the registered member or organization to participate in activities that can contribute to personal, organizational, and industry growth?},

keywords = {SAWE Inc.},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3799,

title = {3799. A Quick Start Guide to Using Excel VBA},

author = {Robert J. Hundl},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3799-a-quick-start-guide-to-using-excel-vba/},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

pages = {41},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {MS Excel is a tool that just about every engineer has on their desktop PC.  Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is a very powerful feature included in MS Excel that most users don’t use.  It was first introduced in MS Excel in 1995 and over the years has become even more powerful.  In this paper, I will review useful programming commands, ways to speed up processing of data, and provide a few examples of use. },

keywords = {General},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3802,

title = {3802. The Mass Growth Factor – Snowball Effects in Aircraft Design},

author = {John Singh Cheema and Dieter Scholz},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/2802-the-mass-growth-factor-snowball-effects-in-aircraft-design/},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

urldate = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

pages = {64},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {Purpose – This project work shows a literature survey, clearly defines the mass growth factor, shows a mass growth iteration, and derives an equation for a direct calculation of the factor (without iteration). Definite values of the factor seem to be missing in literature. To change this, mass growth factors are being calculated for as many of the prominent passenger aircraft as to cover 90% of the passenger aircraft flying today. The dependence of the mass gain factor on requirements and technology is examined and the relation to Direct Operating Costs (DOC) is pointed out.



Methodology – Calculations start from first principles. Publically available data is used to cal-culate a list of mass growth factors for many passenger aircraft. Using equations and the result-ing relationships, new knowledge and dependencies are gained.



Findings – The mass growth factor is larger for aircraft with larger operating empty mass ratio, smaller payload ratio, larger specific fuel consumption (SFC), and smaller glide ratio. The mass growth factor increases much with increasing range. The factor depends on an increase in the fixed mass, so this is the same for the payload and empty mass. The mass growth factor for subsonic passenger aircraft is on average 4.2, for narrow body aircraft 3.9 and for wide body aircraft (that tend to fly longer distance) 4.9. In contrast supersonic passenger aircraft show a factor of about 14.



Practical implications – The mass growth factor has been revisited in order to fully embrace the concept of mass growth and may lead to a better general understanding of aircraft design. Social implications – A detailed discussion of flight and aircraft costs as well as aircraft de-velopment requires detailed knowledge of the aircraft. By understanding the mass growth fac-tor, consumers can have this discussion with industry at eye level.



Originality/value – The derivation of the equation for the direct calculation of the mass growth factor and the determination of the factor using the iteration method for current aircraft was not shown in the examined literature.},

keywords = {Aircraft},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3805,

title = {3805. Measuring Reaction Points during Aircraft Weighing using an Inexpensive Laser},

author = {Damian P. Yañez },

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3805-measuring-reaction-points-during-aircraft-weighing-using-an-inexpensive-laser/},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

pages = {12},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {Maintaining an aircraft's weight and balance within specified limits throughout all phases of its lifecycle is critical to its performance and the safety of its crew, passengers, and maintenance personnel. Measuring the weight and center of gravity (CG) of the aircraft in its Empty Weight configuration is typically the starting point for all subsequent weight and balance calculations. This procedure is often accomplished by placing load cells on jacks underneath the aircraft at three (or more) known locations relative to the aircraft coordinate system, raising and leveling the aircraft, measuring the weights on each cell, and calculating the moments and resultant CG. If the load cells are positioned at fixed reaction points on the airframe, the locations of the cells are easily known. If the load cells are positioned beneath the landing gear, the reaction points must be measured since the gear typically moves with an increase or decrease in load. Finding the true dimensions of these reaction points can be difficult, time consuming, and prone to error. This paper describes a method for quickly and accurately determining the reaction locations for the jacks under gear (JUG) method using an inexpensive laser distance meter. All aircraft designs are unique, so the process may not work exactly as described here, but the hope is that this paper will stimulate discussion and ideas for extending the concept as needed to fit your situation.},

keywords = {Aircraft},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3806,

title = {3806. SAWE Handbook Section 2.2 Solid Properties Excel Formulae},

author = {Robert L. Zimmerman },

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3806-sawe-handbook-section-2dot2-solid-properties-excel-formulae/},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

pages = {17},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {The SAWE Handbook Section 2 has figures and formulae for many shapes, including (Section 2.1) Plane Areas, (Section 2.2) Solids, and (Section 2.3) Shells, Section 2.4) Thin Rods. This paper will concentrate on Solids, Section 2.2, and convert the formulae from this section into equivalent Excel equations that can be used to derive the mass, center(s) of gravity, and the mass moments of inertia of these solid shapes. The resulting values can then be used in determining the mass properties of these and composite entities in further calculations.},

keywords = {General},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3807,

title = {3807. Why Measure?},

author = {Bob Cipolli},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3807-why-measure/},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

pages = {2},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {Mass properties determination is critical for the mission success of a variety of objects. From spacecraft and airplanes to computer disc drive heads and golf balls. Weight, center of gravity, moment of inertia and product of inertia can be estimated through computer modeling but those values are lacking in real world tolerances that may not reflect the entire process of design, machining, assembly, and environment. This paper reviews some of the reasons for measuring those mass properties and the possible repercussions of flawed estimates.},

keywords = {General},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3808,

title = {3808. Implementing Effective Weight Management Strategies in Shipyards: A Practical Approach},

author = { Randi Fikkan and Runar Aasen and Stein Bjørhovde},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

urldate = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {This paper investigates contemporary weight management practices in shipyards, focusing on both weight and center of gravity (CG) estimation, along with the associated follow-up and monitoring procedures. While emphasizing newbuild projects, it also examines modifications and retrofits. Beyond detailing current practices, the paper proposes enhancements and alternative approaches to weight and CG management. It begins with a foundational overview of weight management's definition and significance and extends to encompass weight control principles, procedural frameworks, and weight reporting. The discussion covers estimation methods, publicly available data for estimation, the influence of project types on weight management, uncertainty considerations, and the comparison between CAD data and weight data.

This paper will also compare the current situation with the findings from SAWE Paper 3244 (Weight Control at Ulstein Shipyard, Norway) from 2002, providing useful insights into how weight management practices in shipyards have evolved and where improvements still can be made.},

keywords = {Marine},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3809,

title = {3809. Practical Limits of Precision when Tracking Weight Changes in Series Production},

author = {Doug Fisher},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3809-practical-limits-of-precision-when-tracking-weight-changes-in-series-production/},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

pages = {12},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {Calculafing and tracking the weight impact of design changes during aircraft product development and series producfion is an important part of ensuring a program's success. Computer model-based design tools and databases allow miniscule impacts to be calculated, documented, and tracked - each at a cost to the program in non-recurring hours. There exists a pracfical lower limit for weight impacts, below which the impact can be considered negligible. The cost of tracking impacts below this limit is wasteful and should be avoided. This paper will describe a method for determining this lower limit, along with the associated benefits and risks.},

keywords = {General},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3811,

title = {3811. Parametric Weight Substantiation And Uncertainty Quantification For Aircraft Design},

author = {Andy Walker},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3811-parametric-weight-substantiation-and-uncertainty-quantification-for-aircraft-design/},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

pages = {46},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

organization = {SAWE},

abstract = {Creating and substantiating weight estimation methods for future aircraft design has been completed using open-source data. Legacy best-practices were explored in corelating weight estimating relationships for configurations relating to manned fighters, carrier-based fighters, jet transports, business jets, military intelligence/ surveillance/ reconnaissance (ISR), and general aviation. Statistical methods were used to validate that each parametric method follows a normal, Gaussian distribution. This paper also makes some novel observations regarding statistical weight regressions, including: the fallacy of removing data points in regressions, the good and bad side of adding weight growth margins, employing detailed vs coarse weight method calibration factors, and how legacy aircraft validation helps in the big picture but hurts in the details.},

keywords = {Aircraft, Other Engineering},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3813,

title = {3813. PILGRIMAGE IN SHIP WEIGHING UNCERTAINTY, How Air Can Bias the Deadweight of a Ship},

author = {Manuela Bucci},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/3813-pilgrimage-in-ship-weighing-uncertainty/},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-22},

booktitle = {83rd International Conference, virtual (2024)},

pages = {18},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

abstract = {Apart from cargo, a vessel’s deadweight is substantially made by the weight of liquids onboard. Modern ships and offshore rigs might have sounding pipes for taking manual measurements, but at least one system of level gauges with remote feedback to a control room is the system which the crew believes most – perhaps swayed by the fact that it is easiest for them.

In using ballast water to generate inclining moment during an inclining experiment, it is believed that uncertainties in the inclining moment are negligible. Also, by fully filling or completely emptying the tanks, it is believed that the uncertainty in the weight of the liquids onboard is minimised. But what if the pressed-up tanks show an inexplicable drop in level over the duration of the experiment? Can several tens of tonnes of water really disappear with all valves closed and no overflow?

Or what if tanks that are filled and not changed for several days are measured to find a level that changes with the weather and the external atmospheric pressure?

Or, finally, what if during an inclining test the level measured in a tank exceeds the known height of the tank?

Maybe we have been jinxed with a series of unlucky lightship surveys and inclining experiments or perhaps it is because we always get asked to look into the most ‘interesting’ problems, but our recent research of the correct tank contents became a pilgrimage where we visited some less obvious and sometimes unlikely sources of uncertainties.

Whatever the reason, this paper provides an insight into adventurous post-processing of inclining experiment measurements to achieve acceptable uncertainty in the results.},

keywords = {Marine},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3773,

title = {3773. SAWE’s New Technical Paper “Groups”},

author = {Andreas Schuster},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/paper-3773},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-05-20},

urldate = {2023-05-20},

booktitle = {82nd Annual Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida},

pages = {22},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

address = {Cocoa Beach, Florida},

abstract = {Over the last 80 years, all SAWE technical papers are indexed by a Category system to make searches easier. The current index has evolved to meet the needs of the authors and researchers. However, some of the categories have become outdated as technology has changed, like categories are not grouped together, and there is no definition of what goes into a specific category. The SAWE Technical Committee under the leadership of the VP-Technical Director completed a project to modernize the quick search capability of Category indexing and to define the content of each category. This paper presents the “Group” indexing listing, considerations of alternative group and categories and the implementation steps that are required over the next few years. The title Group is used to differentiate it from the legacy Category index and to mitigate the use of “new Category”, since in 20 years it will be old too.},

keywords = {SAWE Inc.},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3782,

title = {3782. Mass Properties Control Plan - Elements for an Industry Standard},

author = {William Boze},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/paper-3782},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-05-20},

urldate = {2023-05-20},

booktitle = {82nd Annual Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida},

pages = {25},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

address = {Cocoa Beach, Florida},

abstract = {Webster dictionary defines “Plan” as “an intention or decision about what one is going to do”. This paper outlines the prescribed intentions during the acquisition phase of a product lifecycle to achieve the intended vehicle mass properties characteristics that contribute towards the desired vehicle performance within a defined set of operational parameters. 

Since the mass properties community uses weight and mass properties terms interchangeably in general reference, the term Mass Properties versus weight is more accurate and appropriate and will be utilized throughout this paper.},

keywords = {SAWE Inc.},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3786,

title = {3786. Incorporating Non-Random Mass Properties Uncertainties},

author = {John Nakai},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/paper-3786},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-05-20},

urldate = {2023-05-20},

booktitle = {82nd Annual Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida},

pages = {74},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

address = {Cocoa Beach, Florida},

abstract = {Mass properties uncertainty analysis is used to compute uncertainty intervals for a system’s mass, center of mass, moments of inertia, and products of inertia. These uncertainty intervals are typically defined as plus and minus confidence level ranges about the mean (or predicted nominal) value. A comprehensive mass properties uncertainty analysis involves an assessment of all the factors that can cause variations of the mass and distribution of mass in the system. This assessment requires the Mass Properties Engineer to consider all the potential error sources, how each error source could affect the system, and how to properly combine the uncertainties of the system’s components to compute the total system’s mass properties uncertainties. This paper discusses both random and non-random sources of mass properties uncertainties. It presents examples of various manufacturing, economic, and environmental factors to consider, and discusses how to identify and characterize the types of uncertainties these factors may cause. Methods and algorithms to account for both random and non-random mass properties uncertainties in a system are presented.},

keywords = {Cross Industry},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3787,

title = {3787. Small Satellites Launcher Mass Properties Estimation for Design Efficiency Improvement in Preliminary Conceptual Phase},

author = {Rubén González-González and Dr. Andrés García-Pérez and Dr. Gustavo Alonso-Rodrigo},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/paper-3787},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-05-20},

urldate = {2023-05-20},

booktitle = {82nd Annual Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida},

pages = {23},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

address = {Cocoa Beach, Florida},

abstract = {The aim of this paper is to introduce the current research at “Universidad Politécnica de Madrid” to increase the design efficiency of small space launchers in the preliminary conceptual phases based on a new approach in MBSE methodology that introduces efficient and fast simulations reducing their costs by finding an optimal balance with design weights. 

In the last decade, the nano and micro satellites market has emerged as the most promising in the space sector with a profit of $143.7M in 2017 and a growth forecast of 13.43% until 2023 [1]. Despite this significant market growth, the current supply of launching services offer for these small payloads is almost non-existent and satellites manufacturers must share rides as secondary customers on larger heavy launchers, what often causes schedule and targeted orbit conflicts. Because of this market demand, over the past few years many small companies have started plans to develop small launchers but only RocketLab was successful with its Electron launcher (a two-stage-to-orbit launcher with 225kg payload capacity to Low-Earth-Orbits at 185km) reaching orbital injection several times and presenting a public service. However, Electron ́s launch price is around $33k/kg, far away from initial SpaceX Falcon1 2008 offer (11k$/kg) [2]. This market analysis demonstrates the urgent need for finding a design solution that will let to present a competitive small launcher offer.},

keywords = {Missiles and Space - Launch Vehicles, Student Papers},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3788,

title = {3788. Next-Generation Weights Management},

author = {Mark Beyer and Victor Graham},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/paper-3788},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-05-20},

urldate = {2023-05-20},

booktitle = {82nd Annual Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida},

pages = {16},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

address = {Cocoa Beach, Florida},

abstract = {Weights management is an essential science in all transportation industry segments where vehicle development schedule details, manufacturing costs, technical risks, and weight are traded to optimize value to the customer. Next-generation weights management systems connect and create value in ways not previously possible, and address requirements in all phases of product development, manufacturing, and commercial operation. Measures of successful weight management systems include the ability to enable data-driven decisions as early as possible in vehicle life cycle development and maximize the value of all enterprise mass property data assets. This paper spotlights capabilities of a next-generation weights management system, and a manufacturer's motivation to transition their business processes. Motivation to consider Beyer Flight Sciences Weight Management system include realizing opportunities to accelerate the maturity of distributed mass properties on new design projects to reduce design rework, and to automate the conformity of simulation models with mass property updates where used to demonstrate regulatory compliance.},

keywords = {Cross Industry},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{3789,

title = {3789. Efficient Algorithms for Computing Mass Properties of Finite Elements},

author = {Mark Beyer},

url = {https://www.sawe.org/product/paper-3789},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-05-20},

urldate = {2023-05-20},

booktitle = {82nd Annual Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida},

pages = {14},

publisher = {Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.},

address = {Cocoa Beach, Florida},

abstract = {Support for finite element model (FEM) data and methods is an important enabler in next-generation weights management systems. Coordinated efforts between Weights Management and simulation teams using FEM data and methods can accelerate mass model maturity in conceptual and preliminary design before detailed CAD representations are available. Accelerated maturity of mass data can reduce engineering design cycles and rework. 

Next-generation methods can also help automate the conformity of mass data from the Weights Management system of record into downstream simulation models saving structural engineers 1000s of hours of modeling effort. Substantiating conformity of mass properties in simulation models is a growing requirement as the industry shifts toward reliance of simulation to demonstrate regulatory compliance. 

Incorporation of FEM into weights management methods also promotes greater cross-functional mobility and understanding between Weights Management and simulation engineering disciplines. 

Finally, this paper documents the derivation of efficient computation of mass properties of finite elements including tetrahedron, pyramid, pentahedron, hexahedron, and plate elements. The approach uses the Divergence theorem to simplify integration of element volumes to computing mass terms from element faces. The algorithms are developed using Mathematica and presented in Modern Fortran. The author believes these algorithms to be an important contribution to our aerospace community knowledge base.},

keywords = {Cross Industry},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}