ISSL, IA, SDL and ISAS/JAXA have been collaboratively developing a small reentry system named "micro-LRS" (Micro-Laboratory Reentry System) since 2009. Reentry capsule of micro-LRS has Apollo Command Module type shape and its one of the attractive points is that it has a guidance capability during its reentry phase. The capsule has RCS thrusters inside itself and can control its trajectory towards a targeted parachute deployment point with, hopefully, 1km accuracy to secure easier retrieval after the reentry, and this will reduce a retrieval cost drastically. For this accurate guidance, the acquision of capsule's aerodynamic characteristics is indispensable. According to the past reports mainly from NASA's experiments, Apollo's command module type capsules have a dynamic instability during transonic and subsonic phase, and how to suppress it is an essential technical issue. In order to capture such characteristics and check the feasibility of control, we executed a free fall experiment on August 30th, 2011 from a scientific balloon of JAXA with the support of Scientific Balloon team of ISAS/JAXA. This paper provides the overview of micro-LRS and prompt results of this balloon experiment.
内容記述
形態: カラー図版あり
内容記述(英)
Physical characteristics: Original contains color illustrations