ADEPT sounding rocket one (SR-1) flight experiment overview

Abstract

The Adaptable, Deployable Entry and Placement Technology (ADEPT) architecture represents a novel approach for entry vehicle design utilizing a high performance carbon-fabric to serve as the primary drag surface of the mechanically deployed decelerator. The ADEPT project team is advancing this decelerator technology via systems-level testing at the one-meter diameter (nano-ADEPT) scale. A subsonic aeroloads test (May 2015) and an arc-jet aeroheating test (Sept 2015) have already been completed. The initial system-level development of the nano-ADEPT architecture will culminate in the launch of a 0.7 meter deployed diameter ADEPT sounding rocket flight experiment named, SR-1. Launch is planned for August 2017. The test will utilize the NASA Flight Opportunities Program sounding rocket platform provided by UP Aerospace to launch SR-1 to an apogee over 100 km and achieve re-entry conditions with a peak velocity near Mach 3. The SR-1 flight experiment will demonstrate most of the primary end-to-end mission stages including: launch in a stowed configuration, separation and deployment in exo-atmospheric conditions, and passive ballistic re-entry of a 70-degree half-angle faceted cone geometry. ADEPT SR-1 will determine supersonic through transonic aerodynamic stability of the unique ADEPT blunt body shape with an open-back entry vehicle configuration.