Physics and Space Science News and Events

RMC Astronomy Club presentation by Commodore Kurtz

2022-04-07

The Commandant of the Royal Military College, Commodore M.T.J. (Josée) Kurtz (OMM, MSC, CD), gave a presentation to the RMC Astronomy Club on 27 October 2021.

Commodore Kurtz spoke on the topic of celestial navigation, and demonstrated the use of the marine sextant for precision measurement of angles.

A former navigator, the Commandant recalled her time as a junior officer posted on Canadian warships at sea.

The presentation, which took place in historic Currie Hall, was the first of several Astronomy Club events scheduled for 2021-2022

Commodore Josée Kurtz, the Commandant of RMC, standing by a slide of a marine sextant explaining its various components and capabilities. DND / Bryce Bennett
The Commandant of RMC, Commodore Josée Kurtz, in front of a slide of a Royal Canadian Navy warship, giving a presentation on celestial navigation. DND / Bryce Bennett
 
Commodore Kurtz gestures in front of a slide depicting the view through a marine sextant. DND / Bryce Bennett
Commodore Kurtz, speaking with members of the RMC Astronomy Club. DND / Bryce Bennett

Annual Physics for Defence Lecture 2022

2022-03-15

Public Lecture

Physics for Defence Lecture 2022

"Is Space Relevant to the Canadian Armed Forces?"
by Dr. L. Sangalli

Department of Physics and Space Science
Royal Military College of Canada

Friday 1 April 2022, at 13:40
Sawyer Theatre (S 1303)

Contact: LCdr Steve Semenuk (steve.semenuk@rmc.ca)

Abstract:

For most of us, space is a faraway realm, far beyond the Earth, where stars live and die. During most of the history of humanity, it has been a source of wonder and fueled a multitude of myths and legends. That is, until the 20th century. Indeed in the last 70 years, our understanding of space has grown steeply to the point that it is now an integral part of our daily lives. It is still as far away as it ever was, but now, we have developed the technology to reach out to it. Applications have multiplied as we have become more proficient at placing spacecraft into orbit. As a result, space usage is now relevant to individuals, commercial entities and governmental agencies, including the Department of National Defence.

 

Annual Physics for Defence Lecture 2021

2021-02-15

The annual Physics for Defence public lecture presents unclassified research carried out by faculty in the Department of Physics and Space Science, and its connections with the mission of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. .

Public Lecture: Non-Destructive Evaluation for the Royal Canadian Air Force
Dr. Thomas Krause, RMC

Physics for Defence talk posterThursday, 8 April, 2021
11:00
ZOOM Connection:
HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/87226513238?PWD=ENRWU1FKYZNVUKHZBY9URVJ4Y0I5ZZ09

Department of Physics and Space Science
Contact: Dr. Ron Vincent, 613-541-6000 ext. 6932, or Ron.Vincent@rmc-cmr.ca

Abstract

Aircraft in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) are flown with a damage tolerance approach. That is “Have Cracks, Will Fly”. In this approach cracks, especially fatigue cracks, need to be found before they can reach a critical size that could potentially cause in-flight failure of the aircraft. The detection of cracks is accomplished by various non-destructive inspection methods that are performed as part of a periodic inspection program, with the goal of detecting cracks small enough that they won’t grow to their critical size before the next inspection. The most common of these techniques are based on electromagnetics, known collectively as eddy current testing. This talk will present an overview of non-destructive evaluation and recent developments in electromagnetic inspection technology and methods. Examples will include techniques developed for aging aircraft such as the CF-188 Hornet, CP-140 Aurora and CC-130 Hercules.

Fatigue cracks most often form at fasteners, thousands of which are used to hold aircraft together. Cracks are most difficult to detect in the second or third layer of these multilayer aircraft structures. A currently used inspection method is bolt hole eddy current, but it requires removal of the fasteners, which takes time and carries inherent risk of additional damage to aircraft components. The focus of this talk will be the development of pulsed eddy current methods, which can detect second layer cracks without fastener removal. The talk will present the underlying physics, technology and methods used to accomplish this, and present ongoing research towards the development of safer flight for RCAF aircraft.

 

 

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