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The development and flight test of a deployable precision landing system for spacecraft recoveryA joint NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility and Johnson Space Center program was conducted to determine the feasibility of the autonomous recovery of a spacecraft using a ram-air parafoil system for the final stages of entry from space that included a precision landing. The feasibility of this system was studied using a flight model of a spacecraft in the generic shape of a flattened biconic which weighed approximately 150 lb and was flown under a commercially available, ram-air parachute. Key elements of the vehicle included the Global Positioning System guidance for navigation, flight control computer, ultrasonic sensing for terminal altitude, electronic compass, and onboard data recording. A flight test program was used to develop and refine the vehicle. This vehicle completed an autonomous flight from an altitude of 10,000 ft and a lateral offset of 1.7 miles which resulted in a precision flare and landing into the wind at a predetermined location. At times, the autonomous flight was conducted in the presence of winds approximately equal to vehicle airspeed. Several techniques for computing the winds postflight were evaluated. Future program objectives are also presented.
Document ID
19940010380
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Sim, Alex G. (NASA Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Facility Edwards, CA, United States)
Murray, James E. (NASA Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Facility Edwards, CA, United States)
Neufeld, David C. (NASA Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Facility Edwards, CA, United States)
Reed, R. Dale (PRC Kentron, Inc. Edwards, CA., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1993
Subject Category
Space Transportation
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-4525
NAS 1.15:4525
H-1933
Accession Number
94N14853
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 505-68-50
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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