This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
USV3: An Autonomous Space Vehicle with Re-Entry and Landing Capability
Technical Paper
2013-01-2196
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
CIRA, the Italian Aerospace Research Centre, in the framework of the national space program has carried out a feasibility study of a future re-entry spacecraft concept with automatic re-entry and landing operational capability. Such vehicle will be injected in a LEO orbit (i.e. 300km) by the VEGA launcher to execute few revolutions around the Earth and then perform an automatic re-entry flight. After de-boosting by the VEGA AVUM upper stage the vehicle will execute an autonomous flight from hypersonic to subsonic regimes allowing terminal area energy maneuvers, approach and landing on conventional runways.
Different challenging design and technology performance shall be fulfilled by the vehicle configuration, materials and functional architecture. In particular, the vehicle shall exhibit improved aerodynamic and maneuverability characteristics together with innovative GNC approach allowing more flexibility in the re-entry trajectories, as compared to typical lifting re-entry vehicles. Possible re-entry trajectory duration beyond one hour is particularly challenging for TPS design, because it has a direct impact on the thickness of the insulator used to protect the internal cold structure and avionics subsystems. A new challenging task of autonomous landing on conventional runway was added to this vehicle compared with previous CIRA studies and experiences and asking for a landing gear design constrained by the limited volume available and the high speed at touch down.
The present paper describes, after a general overview of the mission and vehicle requirements and of the mission scenario, the main results of the analysis carried out during feasibility phase of the study on Aerodynamics and Aerothermodynamics, Re-entry Trajectories, Structures and Mechanisms, Thermal Protection System and on the overall system.
Recommended Content
Technical Paper | T-Tail Aerodynamics of the Super King Air |
Book | Standard Handbook for Aerospace Engineers, 2nd Edition |
Technical Paper | Multirole Cargo Aircraft Options and Configurations |
Authors
- Mario De Stefano Fumo - Italian Aerospace Research Centre, CIRA SCpA
- Giuseppe Guidotti - Italian Aerospace Research Centre, CIRA SCpA
- Nicola Paletta - Italian Aerospace Research Centre, CIRA SCpA
- Camillo Richiello - Italian Aerospace Research Centre, CIRA SCpA
- Ludovico Vecchione - Italian Aerospace Research Centre, CIRA SCpA
Citation
De Stefano Fumo, M., Guidotti, G., Paletta, N., Richiello, C. et al., "USV3: An Autonomous Space Vehicle with Re-Entry and Landing Capability," SAE Technical Paper 2013-01-2196, 2013, https://doi.org/10.4271/2013-01-2196.Also In
References
- Russo , G. USV Status 2011:New Steps Ahead 17 th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonics and Technologies Conference San Francisco, USA 11 14 April 2011 10.2514/6.2011-2242
- Paulat , J.C. ; Boukhobza , P. 2007 Re-entry Flight Experiments Lessons Learned - The Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator ARD Flight Experiments for Hypersonic Vehicle Development 10-1 10-46 Educational Notes RTO-EN-AVT-130, Paper 10 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France RTO http://www.rto.nato.int/abstracts.asp
- Muylaert , J. ; Walpot , L. ; Ottens , H. ; Cipollini , F. 2007 Aerothermodynamic Reentry Flight Experiments Expert Flight Experiments for Hypersonic Vehicle Development 13-1 13-34 Educational Notes RTO-EN-AVT-130, Paper 13 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France RTO http://www.rto.nato.int/abstracts.asp
- Tumino , G. , Basile , L. , Angelino E. The IXV Programme: Start Of Manufacturing And Qualification 62nd International Astronautical Congress Cape Town October 3 7 2011
- Puttmann , N. , Keerl , P.N. A Status Report on RLV Relevant Flight Experimentation in Germany IAF-01-V.5.07, 52nd International Astronautical Congress Oct 2001 Toulouse, FR
- Shirouzu , M. , Yasutoshi , I. , Wathanabe , S. , Shigemi , M. et al Overview of Aero- and Aerothermodynamic researches on HOPE-X and related Activities in Japan 34 th AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibit 28 June 1 July 2004 Portland Oregon
- Arianespace VEGA User Manual, Issue 3 March 2006
- Tauber , M.E. A Review of High-Speed, Convective, Heat-Transfer Computation Methods NASA-TP-2914 1989
- Battista , F. , Rufolo , G.C. , Di Clemente , M. Aerothermal Environment Definition for a Reusable Experimental Re-entry Vehicle Wing Leading Edge AIAA-2007-4048, 9 th AIAA Thermophysics Conference June 2007
- Pezzella , G. , Filippone , E. , Serpico , M. Re-entry Aerodynamics and Aerothermodynamics Analyses of the Flying Test Bed USV-X in the Framework of a High Lift Return AIAA 2009-7425, 16 th AIAA/DLR/DGLR International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference
- Schettino , A. , Filippone , E. , Mingione , G. , Pezzella , G. et al. Mission Trade-off Analysis of the Italian USV Re-entry Flying Test Bed 2009 AIAA 2006-8017, 14 th AIAA/AHI Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference 2006
- Schettino , A. , Pezzella , G. , Gigliotti , M. , De Matteis , P. Aero-thermal Trade-off Analysis of the Italian USV Re-entry Flying Test Bed AIAA 2006-8114, 14 th AIAA/AHI Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference 2006
- Mac Conochie , J. , Klich , P.J. Techniques for the determination of the mass properties of Earth to Orbit Transportation System NASA-TM-78661 1978