Crew Capsule Research Articles

USB Triggering of Video Recording in Sub-orbital Experiments

Abstract Successful sub-orbital flight operations of a novel method for autonomously controlling GoPro cameras in microgravity, without any additional mechanical device, are described. The method employs the use of GoPro Labs software to control the power and recording functions of a camera via its USB port and integrates the camera and control with the Integrated Payload Controller (IPC) of the Blue Origin New Shepard crew capsule or with microprocessor control of cameras in Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity. Control of four GoPro Hero-10 cameras on a single power port on the IPC is achieved. The method operated successfully on the Blue Origin New Shepard NS-24 suborbital flight, recording data in the experiment and demonstrating reliable start- and stop-recording functions during the flight. The authors also operated four GoPro Hero-11 cameras via USB port recording control on Virgin Galactic’s June 8, 2024 flight. Hardware specifications for the experimental setup and the ability to operate after extended periods of inactivity are discussed.

Attitude Control of a Low L/D Re-entry Module with Multiple Equilibrium Points

The paper describes the development of attitude control system of a low L/D atmospheric entry capsule with multiple equilibrium points. The critical phase of flight occurs during the atmospheric aborts where the capsule gets separated from the abort vehicle at an unfavorable angle of attack and traverses multiple equilibrium points to reach the desired trim angle of attack. The nonlinear nature of aerodynamics and control law makes the problem challenging. The objective of this paper is to describe the challenges encountered and solution proposed in the development of control law for the crew capsule during re-entry. Phase plane analysis is extensively used as a tool to develop the control strategy. Performance of the proposed RCS control law is established using 6- DoF simulations for different flight conditions.

Three steps to a moon base

SUPER-HEAVY-LIFT ROCKETS: NASA is relying on the Space Launch System (SLS) for its 2024 lunar return plan—although the rocket is over budget and behind schedule. China is working to upgrade its current Long March 5 rocket (which failed in its second flight) to the Long March 9. Russia says it has finalized the design for its Yenisei rocket, but experts wonder if it will actually get built. Blue Origin and SpaceX's rockets use reusable stages, which could make them much more economical. SpaceX's Starship is the most futuristic of the lot, comprised of reusable stages and a built-in crew capsule.

A Study and Discussion on the Cost Issue of Suborbital and Orbital Space Tourism

The major purposes of this paper are to study the current costs, or say the ticket prices, for suborbital and orbital space tourisms and to discuss the rationality. On 27 February 2017, SpaceX has announced it plans to launch two paying passengers on a tourist trip around the moon next year (2018). Two private citizens who were not named have paid significant deposit to be sent around the moon to mark the furthest humans have ever travelled to deep space. It could be believed that the cost is tens of million USDs per person. Between 2001 and 2009, 7 millionaires paid and travelled 8 times to the International Space Station by taking the Russian Soyuz spacecraft and launch vehicle systems. Recently, Blue Origin successfully tested the full-envelope escape system of its New Shepard’s crew capsule with the first crewed test flights planned for early 2018. Also, the Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo took to the skies for the first test flight of the revamped atmospheric re-entry system, and expected commercial passenger service to be underway before the end of 2018. Through the background review, this paper concluded that the current prices announced are too high, and the ticket price for suborbital space tourism should be no more than one tenth for that of orbital, Strategies for reducing price were discussed. For the sustainable and prosperous development of space tourism, the cost must be affordable by many tourists, not simply by a few very rich persons.

Analysis of Vibratory Data Collected by the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) on Blue Origin, June 19, 2016

Abstract On Sunday, June 19, 2016, a Space Acceleration Measurement System triaxial sensor head flew on a suborbital flight aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle to collect precision vibratory accelerometry data. The Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) sensor head was mounted inside of a Blue Origin single payload locker inside of the crew capsule. This paper describes the configuration, capture, and analysis of the SAMS data from this flight along with other, related flight log information provided by Blue Origin. Three overlapping periods during the flight were identified and characterized to provide future users of the platform with insight into options that may prove suitable for their research needs. Average accelerations in the Post-Separation Period were consistent with other low-g research platforms, while the shorter Microgravity Period in the middle of the flight showed ultra-quiet vibratory acceleration environments. Researchers can consider this microgravity quality versus time a tradeoff in their experimental designs.

A new temperature treatment method of near-space crew capsule using phase change material

Environment control system of the near-space capsule is of great importance to maintain a comfortable environment and working conditions for crew members as well as onboard equipments. Temperature, as the most important parameter, is controlled by the phase change cool storage device in crew capsule. To improve the design of environment control system, a numerical study of the thermal environment within a crew capsule suspending in the stratosphere was conducted in this article. The main structure and thermodynamic parameters of the phase change cool storage device were calculated. The numerical results showed that the air temperature distribution of the crew capsule was reasonably good with a variation range between 21°C∼27°C. To test the effect of this new method, a simulative capsule was set up to address an experimental study. The experimental results showed that, the indoor temperature rise was effectively suppressed under the temperature treatment compared to none—temperature treatment. This research demonstrated an improved temperature control approach using phase change material, and the research findings can contribute toward an improved environmental control system design for near-space crew capsules.

Study on Heat-moisture Treatment of Near Space Crew Capsule Based on Phase Change Material

Environment control system of the near-space capsule is of great importance to maintain a comfortable environment and working conditions for crew members as well as onboard equipments. Temperature and humidity, as two main parameters, are controlled by the phase change cool storage device in crew capsule. To improve the design of environment control system, a numerical study of the thermal environment based on a crew capsule suspending in the stratosphere was conducted in this paper. The main structure and thermodynamic parameters of the phase change cool storage device were calculated. Under the way of nozzle outlet air supply, a numerical modelling of the temperature and humidity distribution inside a crew capsule is performed. This research will contribute a better solution for an advanced environment control system design of crew capsules.

Characterization of Different Adhesives for Bonding Thermal Protection System (TPS) on a Space Crew Capsule

This paper demonstrates a unique application of DIC wherein the structural performance and structural integrity have been evaluated together almost in real-time. The results obtained from the ground level tests, simulating the bonding between the TPS to the base structure of a space crew module, are reported to find the adequacy of two different adhesives prior to actual bonding. The test objective was to characterize the adhesives based on the structural performance (deflection and strain behavior) of the TPS and conduct health monitoring in real-time (i.e. abort the test whenever the TPS fails). The dual objective could be met using DIC in a full-field and non-contact manner, which was essential due to the limitations of the contacting type measurements.

A space exploration strategy that promotes international and commercial participation

NASA has created a plan to implement the Flexible Path strategy, which utilizes a heavy lift launch vehicle to deliver crew and cargo to orbit. In this plan, NASA would develop much of the transportation architecture (launch vehicle, crew capsule, and in-space propulsion), leaving the other in-space elements open to commercial and international partnerships. This paper presents a space exploration strategy that reverses that philosophy, where commercial and international launch vehicles provide launch services. Utilizing a propellant depot to aggregate propellant on orbit, smaller launch vehicles are capable of delivering all of the mass necessary for space exploration. This strategy has benefits to the architecture in terms of cost, schedule, and reliability.

3D DSMC Simulation of Rarefied Gas Flows around a Space Crew Capsule Using OpenFOAM

An open source Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) code, called as dsmcFoam in OpenFOAM, is used to study a blunt body with the shape of a space crew capsule return vehicle. The rarefied gas has the Knudsen number with 0.03. The flow with a Mach number 4.35 over the capsule was simulated by DSMC. The distributions of velocity field and temperature around the capsule were calculated. This study may provide some useful information for the reentry of the return vehicle.

Blue Origin successfully tests crew capsule escape motor

Blue Origin successfully tests crew capsule escape motor

Transonic Aerodynamics of a Lifting Orion Crew Capsule from Ballistic Range Data

Covers advancements in spacecraft and tactical and strategic missile systems, including subsystem design and application, mission design and analysis, materials and structures, developments in space sciences, space processing and manufacturing, space operations, and applications of space technologies to other fields.