This white paper presents an assessment of control systems as it relates to state-of-the-art hypersonic entry vehicles and addresses technological advances that enable new control systems for future hypersonic entry vehicles. Advancements in deployable entry vehicle (DEV) technology, entry guidance, woven thermal protection systems, and affordable launch services make it possible to conceive of entry vehicles that optimize entry loads, maneuverability, usable payload mass and volume, and operational costs. NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is currently funding the authors on a project, Pterodactyl, that is using on-the-fly trajectory design and integrated software and hardware development to investigate non-propulsive entry control systems for precision targeting of mechanical DEVs. The authors recently reported key findings of these control systems for an asymmetric DEV to track bank commands for a lunar sample return entry.


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    Title :

    Pterodactyl: Non-propulsive Control Systems for Future Planetary Missions


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    MEPAG Meeting 38, White Paper Lightning Talk ; 2020 ; online, US


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Pterodactyl: Non-Propulsive Control System Designs for Future Planetary Missions

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    Spinning of Pterodactyl Mark IV

    Stephens, A. V. ;Cohen, J. | SLUB | 1934


    Some features of the earlier Pterodactyl design

    Gates, Sidney B. / Hirst, D. M. | TIBKAT | 1932


    Pterodactyl: Control System Design for Deployable Entry Vehicles

    D'Souza, Sarah / Cassell, Alan / Yount, Bryan | NTRS | 2020


    Spinning of Pterodactyl Mark IV

    Stephens, A. V. ;Cohen, J. | TIBKAT | 1934