Study on Low-ballistic-coefficient Atmospheric-entry Technology Using Flexible Aeroshell

Abstract

A Low-ballistic-coefficient atmospheric-entry technology using a flexible aeroshell is promising for a space transportation system because it can reduce the aerodynamic heating during re-entry and the terminal velocity dramatically. Its technology will lead to realize a safer, cheaper and more universal space transportation system. Our group has researched various important subjects in order to apply the flexible aeroshell to actual atmospheric-entry missions. Two topics of them are reported in this paper. First topic is a measurement of aerodynamic characteristics of the flare-type aeroshell. The relation between the Mach number and the drag coefficient of the capsule-type vehicle with the flexible and rigid flare-type aeroshell were obtained using the supersonic and transonic wind tunnel. Second topic is a development of the inflatable aeroshell. The deployment demonstration in a vacuum chamber and the structural tests of an inflatable torus tube were carried out.