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Completed TRL 6 (started at 5, targeting 6)
Increasing frequency of orbital missions—particularly for space-based manufacturing—will drive the need for Enabling Low-Cost Autonomous Recovery of Small Payloads from Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). Researchers from SpaceWorks Enterprises are addressing the challenge with an orbital re-entry/recovery system for on board autonomous control and spatial awareness for precise navigation. The innovation aims to enable high-frequency microgravity research for science payloads and provide rapid sample return for LEO manufacturing.
Problem Statement
Technologies that allow for the transportation of goods manufactured on-orbit are needed to realize NASA’s strategic goal of fostering the expansion of space commerce. This is driving the need for autonomous, on-demand re-entry for small payloads. Novel space-based manufacturing and other activities are expected to lead to rapid growth in the use of the LEO environment for space commerce, but the current state of the art for small payload return is not sufficient to support the full potential of these activities.
Technology Maturation
Researchers aim to advance a guided-recovery atmospheric re-entry device (RED-GR) design to TRL 6 by validating its autonomous return capabilities to a specified target from a 100,000-ft altitude balloon release, including autonomous altitude detection, recovery system deployment, precision landing, and g-force dampening of a specified payload. A guided parafoil recovery system will utilize novel air actuator technology to generate power-efficient turn rates and glide slopes.
Summary of Flight Test
2021-10-19 On October 19th, 2021, SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc (SEI), along with Earthly Dynamics LLC (EDC) and Aerial Delivery Solutions LLC (ADS), successfully autonomously landed SEI’s RED-4U Capsule within 250 feet of a specified target after release from an altitude of over 100k ft. This test was the latest in a steady progression to advance SpaceWorks’ product line of Reentry Device (RED) capsules, including the RED-25 and RED-4U, that provide on-demand downmass capabilities from Earth orbit. SpaceWorks RED devices are instrumental to advancing a space-based commercial economy where micro-gravity experiments and in-space manufacturing require a low-cost solution for rapid, safe and reliable payload return from space. The mission was funded through the NASA Flight Opportunities Program.
2022-10-07 On October 7, 2022, a SpaceWorks’ ReEntry Device (RED-4U) capsule was carried to an altitude of ~103,000 feet, suspended under a large, helium-filled balloon. The release was successful, and the capsule was descending to 28,000 feet, where it properly sent a signal to parachute avionics to deploy the parachute. The capsule continued descending at high speeds, and the parachute was never properly deployed because of an issue with the lid deployment. While the test campaign was not a complete success, the team gathered valuable data and learned valuable lessons about the capsule’s design and flight procedures. SpaceWorks will continue to investigate the cause of the lid ejection anomaly and improve the parachute deployment mechanisms for successes in the near future.
Increasing frequency of orbital missions will drive the need for Enabling Low-Cost, Autonomous Recovery of Small Payloads from Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). Researchers from SpaceWorks Enterprises are addressing the challenge with a guided re-entry recovery device that aims to enable high-frequency microgravity research for science payloads and provide rapid sample return for LEO-based manufacturing. This would benefit NASA missions, the commercial space industry, other government agencies, and the nation.
Future Customers
•NASA SmallSat experiments
•Space-based manufacturing
•Biological, life sciences, pharmaceuticals research
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