Aerocapture Technology Project Overview

Abstract

Aerocapture technology development is one of the highest priority investments for the NASA In-Space Propulsion Program (ISP). The ISP is managed by the NASA Headquarters Office of Space Science, and implemented by the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The objective of the ISP Aerocapture Technology Project (ATP) is to develop technologies that can enable and/or benefit NASA science missions by significantly reducing cost, mass, and trip times. To accomplish this objective, the ATP identifies and prioritizes the most promising technologies using systems analysis, technology advancement and peer review, coupled with NASA Headquarters Office of Space Science target requirements. Efforts are focused on developing mid-Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies to systems-level spaceflight validation.