Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Passive deployment demonstration of shape memory alloy-type deployable aeroshell using a hypersonic wind tunnel

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
CEAS Space Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Deployable aeroshells are promising as a future aerodynamic entry technology to innovate space transportation systems for a round trip between Earth and Low Earth Orbit as well as for planetary explorations. Various types of deployable aeroshells have been investigated and tested, including mechanical and inflatable aeroshells. In this study, we propose a more innovative deployable aeroshell concept, which is a shape memory alloy (SMA) type. In this concept, the aeroshell can automatically deploy using an SMA as a structural member for the deployable aeroshell owing to aerodynamic heating during atmospheric entry and can produce a large aerodynamic drag. A scale model with a deployable aeroshell, such as an umbrella, was developed based on this concept. Hypersonic wind tunnel tests were conducted using the developed scale model to demonstrate the complete passive deployment of the aeroshell by aerodynamic heating. The test verified that the aeroshell was completely deployed in hypersonic flow by aerodynamic heating and produced a stable aerodynamic drag after its deployment. In addition, six-component aerodynamic forces, visualized flow field, and temperatures on the aeroshell were obtained during the test. As a result, the behavior of the deployable aeroshell during deployment was clarified.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rohrschneider, R.R., Braun, R.D.: Survey of Ballute Technology for aerocapture. J. Spacecr. Rockets. 44(1), 10–23 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Venkatapathy, E., Hamm, K., Fernandez, I., Arnold, J., Kinney, D., Laub, B., Makino, A., McGuire, M., Peterson, K., Prabhu, D., Empey, D., Dupzyk, I., Huynh, P., Hajela, P., Gage, P., Howard, A., Andrews, D.: Adaptive deployable entry and placement technology (ADEPT): a feasibility study for human missions to Mars. In: 21st AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar, AIAA-2011-2608 (2011)

  3. Cassell, A., Wercinski, P., Smith, B., Yount, B., Nishioka, O., Kruger, C.: ADEPT sounding rocket one flight test overview. In: AIAA AVIATION Forum, 17–21 June 2019, AIAA 2019-2896

  4. Gräßilin, M., Schöttle, U.: Flight performance evaluation of the re-entry mission IRDT-1. In: International Aeronautical Federation Paper IAF-01-v.3.05 (2001)

  5. Hughes, S., Dillman, R., Starr, B., Stephan, R., Lindell, M., Player, C., Cheatwood, F.: Inflatable re-entry vehicle experiment (IRVE) design overview. In: 18th AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference, AIAA 2005-1636 (2005)

  6. Hughes, S., Cheatwood, F., Dillman, R., Calomino, A., Wright, H., DelCorso, J., Calomino, A.: Hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator (HIAD) technology development overview. In: 21st AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference, AIAA 2011-2524 (2011)

  7. Yamada, K., Nagata, Y., Abe, T., Suzuki, K., Imamura, O., Akita, D.: Suborbital reentry demonstration of inflatable flare-type thin-membrane aeroshell using a sounding rocket. AIAA J. Spacecr. Rockets 52(1), 275–284 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Suzuki, K.: Network type Mars exploration mission SPUR using nano-orbiters and landers with membrane aeroshell and its technology development. In: Proceedings of the 63rd Space Sciences and Technology Conference, 2F01, JSASS-2019-4326 (2019) (in Japanese)

  9. McNamee, J.B., Cook, R.A.: The Mars Environment Survey (MESUR) network and pathfinder missions. In: AIAA Space Programs and Technologies Conference and Exhibit, AIAA-93-4086 (1993)

  10. Dehant, V., Lognonne, P., Sotin, C.: Network science, NetLander: a European mission to study planet Mars. Planet. Space Sci. 52, 977–9785 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Schmit, W., Linkin, V., Alexashkin, S., Vazquez, L., MetNet Science team: MetNet mars mission—new lander generation for Martian in situ surface observations. In: European Planetary Science Congress 2021, EPSC abstract, vol.7, EPSC2012-671 (2021)

  12. TOYOBO CO., LTD.: ZYLON (PBO fiber) Technical Information, https://www.toyobo-global.com/seihin/kc/pbo/zylon-p/bussei-p/technical_201118.pdf (2005). Accessed 24 Sept 2022

  13. Watari, M., Hirabayashi, N., Koyama, T., Nagai, S., Tsuda, S., Sekine, H., Yamazaki, T., Nakakita, K.: Flow qualities of jaxa hypersonic wind tunnel facilities. In: 14th AIAA/AHI, Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, AIAA 2006-8047 (2006)

  14. Detra, R.W., Kemp, N.H., Riddell, F.R.: Addendum to heat transfer to satellite vehicles re-entering the atmosphere. Jet Propul. 27(132), 137 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the members of the JAXA wind tunnel facility for their kind support. This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant No. 20H02360.

Funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant No. 20H02360.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 3-1-1, Yoshinodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5210, Japan

    Kazuhiko Yamada & Yasunori Nagata

  2. Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1, Niijyuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, 125-8585, Japan

    Fuya Akiyama

Authors
  1. Kazuhiko Yamada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fuya Akiyama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yasunori Nagata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kazuhiko Yamada.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yamada, K., Akiyama, F. & Nagata, Y. Passive deployment demonstration of shape memory alloy-type deployable aeroshell using a hypersonic wind tunnel. CEAS Space J 16, 19–29 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-023-00481-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-023-00481-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation