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Completed TRL 3 (started at 1, targeting 3)
This proposal will take an EKF-based reconstruction method and apply it to ballistic range and MSBS data set to reconstruct dynamic aerodynamic coefficients and their uncertainties, which are crucial to the controllability of the next generation robotic EDL exploration and human scale missions to Mars. Previous aerodynamic reconstruction methodologies treat the disparate data types from MSBS and ballistic range independently, while an EKF-based method can combine various datatypes to provide a combined trajectory and aerodynamic estimate along with uncertainties of the estimated parameters. The improved aerodynamic estimates from an EKF-based reconstruction tool can reduce uncertainties in supersonic aerodatabases of EDL flight vehicles, potentially reducing risk, increasing system capabilities, and boosting payload mass for robotic EDL missions in the solar system or human-scale missions to Mars. As this proposal is based on reconstructing simulated and past test data, there is very little obstacle to completing the tasks delineated in the study, and there are personnel available to complete the tasks.
The goal of the proposal is to provide a ready-to-use and tested EKF-based reconstruction toolset for future MSBS and ballistic range tests of EDL flight vehicles. In the previous year, the EKF-based method was shown to be useful for simulated MSBS datasets, and the framework developed for past flight trajectory reconstructions could be extensible to aerodynamic coefficient reconstruction from MSBS tests. After development under CIF/IRAD, the EKF tool can be applied directly during future aerodynamic testing and will require additional funding only for maintenance or added functionality. LaRC is involved in the aerodynamic characterization of many current and future EDL projects where understanding the supersonic dynamic coefficients is key and developing an EKF-based tool in-house will allow LaRC to continue to support these roles and help make these mission successful.
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