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The HIAD Orbital Flight Demonstration Instrumentation Suite

NASA's Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) technology has been selected for a Technology Demonstration Mission under the Science and Technology Mission Directorate. HIADs are an enabling technology that can facilitate atmospheric entry of heavy payloads to planets such as Earth and Mars using a deployable aeroshell. The deployable nature of the HIAD technology allows it to overcome the size constraints imposed on current rigid aeroshell entry systems. This permits use of larger aeroshells resulting in increased entry system performance (e.g. higher payload mass and/or volume, higher landing altitude at Mars). The Low Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) is currently scheduled for mid-2021. LOFTID will be launched out of Vandenberg Air Force Base as a secondary payload on an expendable launch vehicle. The flight test will employ a 6m diameter, 70-deg sphere-cone aeroshell and will provide invaluable high-energy orbital re-entry flight data. This data will be essential in supporting the HIAD team to mature the technology to diameters of 10m and greater. Aeroshells of this scale will address near-term commercial applications and potential future NASA missions.LOFTID will incorporate an extensive instrumentation suite totaling over 150 science measurements. This will include thermocouples, heat flux sensors, IR cameras, and a radiometer to characterize the aeroheating environment and aeroshell thermal response. An inertial measurement unit (IMU), GPS, and flush air data system will be included in order to reconstruct the flown trajectory and aerodynamic characteristics. Loadcells will be used to measure the HIAD structural loading, and HD cameras will be mounted on the aft segment looking at the aeroshell to monitor structural response. In addition to the primary instrumentation suite, a new fiber optic sensing system will be used to measure nose temperatures as a technology demonstration. The LOFTID instrumentation suites leverages Agency-wide expertise, with hardware development occurring at Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center and Armstrong Flight Research Center.This presentation will discuss the measurement objectives for the LOFTID mission, and the extensive instrumentation suite that has been selected to capture the HIAD's performance during the high-energy orbital re-entry flight test.

Swanson, Greg↗

OVERVIEW OF THE LOFTID INSTRUMENTATION SUITE

NASA’s Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) technology has been selected for a Technology Demonstration Mission under the Science and Technology Mission Directorate and is currently scheduled to launch in FY22. HIAD is an enabling technology that can facilitate atmospheric entry of heavy payloads to planets such as Earth and Mars using a deployable aeroshell. The deployable nature of the HIAD technology allows it to avoid the size constraints imposed on current rigid aeroshell entry systems. This enables use of larger aeroshells resulting in increased entry system performance (e.g. higher payload mass and/or volume, higher landing altitude at Mars).

G T Swanson↗

Overview and Performance of the LOFTID Instrumentation Suite

NASA’s Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) is an enabling technology that facilitates atmospheric entry of heavy payloads to planets such as Earth and Mars using a deployable aeroshell. The deployable nature of the HIAD technology allows it to overcome the size constraints imposed on current rigid aeroshell entry systems. This enables use of larger aeroshells resulting in increased entry system performance (e.g. higher payload mass and/or volume, higher landing altitude at Mars). On November 10th, 2022 the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) was launched out of Vandenberg Air Force Base as a secondary payload on an Atlas V rocket. After the primary payload was delivered to its orbit, the LOFTID reentry vehicle was inflated, positioned, and then separated to reenter Earth’s atmosphere at a velocity of 8.1km/s, ultimately splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. The flight successfully demonstrated a 6m diameter, 70-deg sphere-cone HIAD on a high-energy orbital reentry. This demonstration has provided invaluable fight data essential to characterize the vehicle performance and support the ongoing effort to further scale the HIAD technology to vehicles of 10m in diameter or greater. Aeroshells of this scale are applicable to near-term commercial applications and future NASA robotic and human exploration missions. LOFTID incorporated an extensive instrumentation suite totaling over 150 science measurements. This included thermocouples, total heat flux sensors, and a radiometer to characterize the aeroheating environment and aeroshell thermal response. An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Global Positioning System (GPS), and flush air data system was included to allow post-flight reconstruction of the vehicle trajectory including a decoupling of the aerodynamics from the atmospheric density. Loadcells were used to measure HIAD structural response during entry, and cameras (both visual-spectrum and infrared) were mounted on the aft segment looking at the aeroshell to monitor structural deflection and surface temperature distribution. Finally, a single up-look camera was included which has provided a surprising amount of science potential from the spectacular footage. In addition to the primary instrumentation suite, a new Fiber Optic Sensing System (FOSS) was used to provide global temperature distributions as a technology demonstration. The system provided over 200 thermal measurements creating a thermal map for the backside of the nose Flexible Thermal Protection System. Another pair of FOSS cables were run along the rigid center structure and measured the temperature response to the vehicle wake environment. The LOFTID instrumentation suite leveraged Agency-wide expertise, with hardware development occurring at Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Armstrong Flight Research Center. This presentation will discuss the instrumentation selected for LOFTID to capture the HIAD performance during the high-energy orbital reentry flight test, provide examples of data products, and snippets of the spectacular reentry video.

G T Swanson↗

Overview and Performance of the LOFTID Instrumentation Suite

NASA’s Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) is an enabling technology that facilitates atmospheric entry of heavy payloads to planets such as Earth and Mars using a deployable aeroshell. The deployable nature of the HIAD technology allows it to overcome the size constraints imposed on current rigid aeroshell entry systems. This enables use of larger aeroshells resulting in increased entry system performance (e.g. higher payload mass and/or volume, higher landing altitude at Mars). On November 10th, 2022 the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) was launched out of Vandenberg Air Force Base as a secondary payload on an Atlas V rocket. After the primary payload was delivered to its orbit, the LOFTID reentry vehicle was inflated, positioned, and then separated to reenter Earth’s atmosphere at a velocity of 8.1km/s, ultimately splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. The flight successfully demonstrated a 6m diameter, 70-deg sphere-cone HIAD on a high-energy orbital reentry. This demonstration has provided invaluable fight data essential to characterize the vehicle performance and support the ongoing effort to further scale the HIAD technology to vehicles of 10m in diameter or greater. Aeroshells of this scale are applicable to near-term commercial applications and future NASA robotic and human exploration missions. LOFTID incorporated an extensive instrumentation suite totaling over 150 science measurements. This included thermocouples, total heat flux sensors, and a radiometer to characterize the aeroheating environment and aeroshell thermal response. An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Global Positioning System (GPS), and flush air data system was included to allow post-flight reconstruction of the vehicle trajectory including a decoupling of the aerodynamics from the atmospheric density. Loadcells were used to measure HIAD structural response during entry, and cameras (both visual-spectrum and infrared) were mounted on the aft segment looking at the aeroshell to monitor structural deflection and surface temperature distribution. Finally, a single up-look camera was included which has provided a surprising amount of science potential from the spectacular footage. In addition to the primary instrumentation suite, a new Fiber Optic Sensing System (FOSS) was used to provide global temperature distributions as a technology demonstration. The system provided over 200 thermal measurements creating a thermal map for the backside of the nose Flexible Thermal Protection System. Another pair of FOSS cables were run along the rigid center structure and measured the temperature response to the vehicle wake environment. The LOFTID instrumentation suite leveraged Agency-wide expertise, with hardware development occurring at Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Armstrong Flight Research Center. This paper will discuss the instrumentation selected for LOFTID, a summary of sensor in-flight performance, and will provide examples of data products from the post-flight analysis effort.

Gregory T Swanson↗

Overview and Performance of the LOFTID Instrumentation Suite

NASA’s Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) is an enabling technology that facilitates atmospheric entry of heavy payloads to planets such as Earth and Mars using a deployable aeroshell. The deployable nature of the HIAD technology allows it to overcome the size constraints imposed on current rigid aeroshell entry systems. This enables use of larger aeroshells resulting in increased entry system performance (e.g. higher payload mass and/or volume, higher landing altitude at Mars). On November 10th, 2022 the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) was launched out of Vandenberg Air Force Base as a secondary payload on an Atlas V rocket. After the primary payload was delivered to its orbit, the LOFTID reentry vehicle was inflated, positioned, and then separated to reenter Earth’s atmosphere at a velocity of 8.1km/s, ultimately splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. The flight successfully demonstrated a 6m diameter, 70-deg sphere-cone HIAD on a high-energy orbital reentry. This demonstration has provided invaluable fight data essential to characterize the vehicle performance and support the ongoing effort to further scale the HIAD technology to vehicles of 10m in diameter or greater. Aeroshells of this scale are applicable to near-term commercial applications and future NASA robotic and human exploration missions. LOFTID incorporated an extensive instrumentation suite totaling over 150 science measurements. This included thermocouples, total heat flux sensors, and a radiometer to characterize the aeroheating environment and aeroshell thermal response. An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Global Positioning System (GPS), and flush air data system was included to allow post-flight reconstruction of the vehicle trajectory including a decoupling of the aerodynamics from the atmospheric density. Loadcells were used to measure HIAD structural response during entry, and cameras (both visual-spectrum and infrared) were mounted on the aft segment looking at the aeroshell to monitor structural deflection and surface temperature distribution. Finally, a single up-look camera was included which has provided a surprising amount of science potential from the spectacular footage. In addition to the primary instrumentation suite, a new Fiber Optic Sensing System (FOSS) was used to provide global temperature distributions as a technology demonstration. The system provided over 200 thermal measurements creating a thermal map for the backside of the nose Flexible Thermal Protection System. Another pair of FOSS cables were run along the rigid center structure and measured the temperature response to the vehicle wake environment. The LOFTID instrumentation suite leveraged Agency-wide expertise, with hardware development occurring at Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Armstrong Flight Research Center. This paper will discuss the instrumentation selected for LOFTID, a summary of sensor in-flight performance, and will provide examples of data products from the post-flight analysis effort.

Greg Swanson↗

Mars 2020 Center Differential Pivot Restraint: Flexurized Spring System Providing Compliance for Rover Mobility Deployment Prior to Landing

The Center Differential Pivot Restraint (CDPR) for the Mars 2020 mission is designed to constrain motion of the rover differential and to dampen out the load response of during rover’s mobility deployment event in Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) phase of the mission. For Mars 2020, it was required to redesign the mechanism to save minimum 33% of the mass from the previous Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) design. The new mechanism architecture used a monolithic spring-like flexure to act as the system compliance, resulting in 50% mass savings from the MSL design. Along the design and prototype testing process, several mechanism design principles were re-affirmed as well as lessons learned about potential race conditions.

Cameron, Matthew↗

Motivations and Preliminary Design for Mid-Air Deployment of a Science Rotorcraft on Mars

Mid-Air Deployment (MAD) of a rotorcraft during Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) on Mars eliminates the need to carry a propulsion or airbag landing system. This reduces the total mass inside the aeroshell by more than 100 kg, aeroshell complexity, and likely the risk and cost associated to the mission. Moreover, the lighter entry mass enables landing in the Martian highlands, at elevations inaccessible to current EDL technologies. This paper proposes a novel MAD concept for a Mars helicopter. We suggest a minimum science payload package to perform relevant science in the highlands. A variant of the Ingenuity helicopter is proposed to provide increased deceleration during MAD, and enough lift to fly the science payload in the highlands. We show in simulation that the lighter aeroshell results in lower terminal velocity (30 m/s) at the end of the parachute phase of the EDL, and at higher altitudes than other approaches. After discussing the aerodynamics, controls, guidance and mechanical challenges associated to deploying at such speed, we propose a backshell architecture that addresses them to release the helicopter in the safest conditions. Finally, we implemented the helicopter model and aerodynamic descent perturbations in the JPL Dynamics and Real-Time Simulation (DARTS) framework. Preliminary performance evaluation indicate landing and helicopter operations can be achieved up to +5 km MOLA.

Rapin, William↗

Space shuttle status

Technology problems relating to the shuttle thermal protection system and the auxiliary power units for flight control of engine gimbaling and aero surfaces are examined as well as yet unresolved difficulties associated with the main engine, external tank doors, and the payload bay doors. Concepts for launch crew escape and for flight inspection are discussed, and the orbital flight test drivers are identified. The majority of OFT objectives can be accomplished in a success oriented four flight program. Carry over will be accommodated in the operational phase with a mini-DFI package. Primary shuttle systems requiring additional testings are (1) aerodynamics (forward CG); (2) thermal control system (high beta); (3) payload deployment and retrieval system (retrieval, a maximum weight, and proximity operations); (4) SSME throttling to 109%; and (5) SSME nozzle entry aerodynamic heating (up elevon/body flap position at hypersonic velocities).

Slayton, D. K.↗

Model Checking the Remote Agent Planner

This work tackles the problem of using Model Checking for the purpose of verifying the HSTS (Scheduling Testbed System) planning system. HSTS is the planner and scheduler of the remote agent autonomous control system deployed in Deep Space One (DS1). Model Checking allows for the verification of domain models as well as planning entries. We have chosen the real-time model checker UPPAAL for this work. We start by motivating our work in the introduction. Then we give a brief description of HSTS and UPPAAL. After that, we give a sketch for the mapping of HSTS models into UPPAAL and we present samples of plan model properties one may want to verify.

Khatib, Lina↗

Reconstruction of the Mars Science Laboratory Parachute Performance and Comparison to the Descent Simulation

The Mars Science Laboratory used a single mortar-deployed disk-gap-band parachute of 21.35 m nominal diameter to assist in the landing of the Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars. The parachute system s performance on Mars has been reconstructed using data from the on-board inertial measurement unit, atmospheric models, and terrestrial measurements of the parachute system. In addition, the parachute performance results were compared against the end-to-end entry, descent, and landing (EDL) simulation created to design, develop, and operate the EDL system. Mortar performance was nominal. The time from mortar fire to suspension lines stretch (deployment) was 1.135 s, and the time from suspension lines stretch to first peak force (inflation) was 0.635 s. These times were slightly shorter than those used in the simulation. The reconstructed aerodynamic portion of the first peak force was 153.8 kN; the median value for this parameter from an 8,000-trial Monte Carlo simulation yielded a value of 175.4 kN - 14% higher than the reconstructed value. Aeroshell dynamics during the parachute phase of EDL were evaluated by examining the aeroshell rotation rate and rotational acceleration. The peak values of these parameters were 69.4 deg/s and 625 deg/sq s, respectively, which were well within the acceptable range. The EDL simulation was successful in predicting the aeroshell dynamics within reasonable bounds. The average total parachute force coefficient for Mach numbers below 0.6 was 0.624, which is close to the pre-flight model nominal drag coefficient of 0.615.

Cruz, Juan R.↗

Mars Sample Return, Sample Retrieval Lander, Reaction Control System Jet Interaction Supersonic Wind Tunnel Test Overview with CFD Predictions

NASA's Mars Sample Return campaign will be launching several missions over the next decade that will work together to return rock samples from Mars back to Earth. The Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL) will deliver the Mars Ascent Vehicle and fetch rover to the surface of Mars in 2006. Rock samples collected by the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, landing in early 2021, will be loaded on the the ascent vehicle to be launched into Mars orbit for retrieval by yet another spacecraft. The Sample Retrieval Lander will be a blunt entry capsule similar to past Mars entry vehicles like Mars Science Laboratory and Viking. The vehicle will fly a guided entry, using a small lift vector produced by a non-zero trim angle of attack to eliminate downrange and crossrange position errors at the point of parachute deploy. This energy and heading management is achieved with a reaction control system (RCS) that directs the bank angle of the vehicle and also minimizes unwanted capsule dynamics. The reaction control system and control design is based on the Mars Science Laboratory and Mars 2020 RCS systems. However, due to packaging constraints, the backshell of this new entry vehicle has a different geometry than those earlier designs. To certify the RCS system for flight the project must characterize the jet plume interactions with the capsule backshell that could impair or significantly augment the RCS control authority. This characterization will be done through a combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and wind tunnel test. Two candidate arrangements of the RCS jets have been identified for the SRL vehicle and are currently under evaluation before final selection. The aero/RCS plume interactions of these candidate configurations have been measured in a supersonic wind tunnel test in NASA Langley's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel. The test was conducted in the fall of 2020 and data is currently being reduced. An overview of the candidate RCS configurations are presented here with an overview of the wind tunnel model design, jet scaling and scaled nozzle design, and the test matrix. Preliminary CFD runs are presented with an assessment of the predicted plumes and their interaction with the wake flow of the vehicle. The predicted effects of the model sting is provided as well. This high fidelity wind tunnel test is being conducted much earlier in the SRL project than would normally be done. The test was funded as part of a CFD evaluation task funded by NASA's Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities Project. The objective of the evaluation task was to compare the ability of CFD to predict complex flows with data that can be measured in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel. RCS Jet interactions were selected as a type of complex flow that is important to NASA missions. In addition to providing useful data to the SRL project, there was added emphasis on quantifying the accuracy of the CFD predictions and wind tunnel test data. An overview of the uncertainty quantification methodologies for computational and experimental portions of this test is presented.

blunt body↗

A Rideshare Tensegrity Rover Concept to Explore Titan’s Lands and Oceans

The Tension Adjustable Network for Deploying Entry Membrane (TANDEM) concept is a phase II NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) project. One of the goals for this project was to extend the application of tensegrity-based rovers to a rideshare concept for a Titan mission. This report provides preliminary details of the TANDEM concept for Titan. System analyses of the entry vehicle were performed and compared to data from the Huygens mission to Titan. The entry aeroshell was based on Huygens and Stardust aeroshells. Modeling, simulation and design of the tensegrity deployment were performed using a nonlinear optimization form-finding algorithm. Lastly, a neuroevolution-based machine learning control strategy was applied, which produced efficient rolling locomotion gaits.

tensegrity↗

Micromechanical Characterization and Testing of Carbon Based Woven Thermal Protection Materials

Woven thermal protection system (TPS) materials are one of the enabling technologies for mechanically deployable hypersonic decelerator systems. These materials can be simultaneously used for thermal protection and as structural load bearing members during the entry, descent and landing operations. In order to ensure successful thermal and structural performance during the atmospheric entry, it is important to characterize the properties of these materials, once they have been subjected to entry like conditions. The present paper focuses on mechanical characteristics of pre-and post arc-jet tested woven TPS samples at different scales. It also presents the observations from scanning electron microscope and computed tomography images, and explains the changes in microstructure after being subjected to combined thermal-mechanical loading environments.

Agrawal, Parul↗

Mars Sample Return: Grand Challenge for EDL

A year ago, I gave a talk in anticipation of a Mars Sample Return effort at the 9th Ablation Workshop. Since then a lot has happened. "April of this year, after a year of study phase, NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to jointly develop a Mars Sample Return plan to be submitted to their respective authorities by the end of 2019. This signing is historic, as it signals the desire, the readiness, and the willingness to work together to execute this inspiring mission, we all have the opportunity to tackle this grand challenge. We have the scientific and engineering maturity to identify the critical technologies ready to be applied, and with discipline this campaign can be executed affordably," Jim Watzin, Mars Program Executive, NASA. NASA Centers with JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) leading the charge is in the midst of a pre-formulation phase for executing a Mars Sample Return before the end of next decade. The proposed talk builds on the previous year talk. In light of the agreement between NASA and ESA, NASA has assumed the responsibilities for developing the earth entry vehicle (EEV) that will fly along with a European Spacecraft and return with the sample from Mars. EEV will be deployed for entry into earth. The EEV design, development, testing and certification have to result in a highly reliable sample return system. The entire architecture has to be demonstrated to meet the planetary protection requirement. NASA is considering two distinctly different earth entry vehicle architectures and with each choice, many different ablative TPS (Thermal Protective Shield) candidates. As a result of the NASA-ESA ongoing studies, some of the key entry conditions and design requirements are better understood today and more are being scoped out. The heat-shield ablative TPS choice need to be done with a good understanding as it plays a very significant role in determining the robustness of the EEV. Knowledge about how materials and system perform, and how the features could become flaws and how flaws lead to failure, etc. need to be clearly understood and the knowledge then need to be used to down select the TPS. This proposed talk will provide greater insight into the progress being made and the challenges that need to be tackled.

Mars Sample Return: Grand Challenge for EDL↗

A hypersonic vehicle approach to planetary exploration

An enhanced Mars network class mission using a lifting hypersonic entry vehicle is proposed. The basic vehicle, derived from a mature hypersonic flight system called SWERVE, offers several advantages over more conventional low L/D or ballistic entry systems. The proposed vehicle has greatly improved lateral and cross range capability (e.g., it is capable of reaching the polar regions during less than optimal mission opportunities), is not limited to surface target areas of low elevation, and is less susceptible to problems caused by Martian dust storms. Further, the integrated vehicle has attractive deployment features and allows for a much improved evolutionary path to larger vehicles with greater science capability. Analysis of the vehicle is aided by the development of a Mars Hypersonic Flight Simulator from which flight trajectories are obtained. Atmospheric entry performance of the baseline vehicle is improved by a deceleration skirt and transpiration cooling system which significantly reduce TPS (Thermal Protection System) and flight battery mass. The use of the vehicle is also attractive in that the maturity of the flight systems make it cost-competitive with the development of a conventional low L/D entry system. Finally, the potential application of similar vehicles to other planetary missions is discussed.

Murbach, Marcus S.↗

Overview of the Phoenix Entry, Descent and Landing System Architecture

NASA s Phoenix Mars Lander began its journey to Mars from Cape Canaveral, Florida in August 2007, but its journey to the launch pad began many years earlier in 1997 as NASA s Mars Surveyor Program 2001 Lander. In the intervening years, the entry, descent and landing (EDL) system architecture went through a series of changes, resulting in the system flown to the surface of Mars on May 25th, 2008. Some changes, such as entry velocity and landing site elevation, were the result of differences in mission design. Other changes, including the removal of hypersonic guidance, the reformulation of the parachute deployment algorithm, and the addition of the backshell avoidance maneuver, were driven by constant efforts to augment system robustness. An overview of the Phoenix EDL system architecture is presented along with rationales driving these architectural changes.

Grover, Myron R., III↗

Cassini/Huygens Probe Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) at Titan Independent Technical Assessment

Starting in January 2004, the NESC has received several communications from knowledgeable technical experts at NASA expressing shared concerns (mainly at the Langley Research Center (LaRC) and Ames Research Center (ARC)) about Huygens mission success. It was suggested that NASA become more technically involved directly in the analysis of Huygens' entry, descent and landing (EDL) focusing on the parachute deployment trigger performance and the resultant effects on the operation of the parachute system, and the determination of the radiative heating environment at Titan by ESA and the corresponding thermal protection system (TPS) response. A NESC Team was formed and tasked to provide an independent assessment of these concerns. The results of that assessment are documented in this report.

Powell, Richard W.↗