Remote observations of reentering spacecraft including the space shuttle orbiter

Abstract

Abstract-Flight measurement is a critical phase in development, validation and certification processes of technologies destined for future civilian and military operational capabilities. This paper focuses on several recent NASA-sponsored remote observations that have provided unique engineering and scientific insights of reentry vehicle flight phenomenology and performance that could not necessarily be obtained with more traditional instrumentation methods such as onboard discrete surface sensors. The missions highlighted include multiple spatially-resolved infrared observations of the NASA Space Shuttle Orbiter during hypersonic reentry from 2009 to 2011, and emission spectroscopy of comparatively small-sized sample return capsules returning from exploration missions. Emphasis has been placed upon identifying the challenges associated with these remote sensing missions with focus on end-to-end aspects that include the initial science objective, selection of the appropriate imaging platform and instrumentation suite, target flight path analysis and acquisition strategy, pre-mission simulations to optimize sensor configuration, logistics and communications during the actual observation. Explored are collaborative opportunities and technology investments required to develop a next-generation quantitative imaging system (i.e., an intelligent sensor and platform) with greater capability, which could more affordably support cross cutting civilian and military flight test needs.

Research on the Zooming Method for Determining the Flow, Heat Transfer, and Infrared Radiation of an Air-Breathing Hypersonic Vehicle Powered by a Scramjet

“…Wang [4] took the head of an aircraft with a blunt spherical shape as the object and numerically simulated the aerodynamic heating and aerodynamic heating radiation of the aircraft flying at a high Mach number. A series of remote infrared observations of the space shuttle Orbiter was carried out by NASA (National Aeronautics Aerospace 2024, 11, 212 2 of 20 and Space Administration) [5,6]. Kennedy [7] et al compared and analyzed the flow-field parameters of a general rocket exhaust plume at a 40 km altitude.…”

Infrared Optical Observability of an Earth Entry Orbital Test Vehicle Using Ground-Based Remote Sensors

“…In the context of multi-mode detection requirements, ground-based remote detection saw much development [13][14][15]. Some relevant observations of hypersonic aircraft were conducted with the aid of TIR emissions.…”

“…These experiments focused mainly on two aspects: TIR imaging of the space transportation system (STS) and radiative heating of sample return capsules (SRC). For instance, NASA carried out a series of hypersonic thermodynamic IR measurements (HYTHIRM) that relied on aerial and ground-based infrared imaging systems [15,16]. The infrared images were used to determine the surface temperature distribution on the viewable windward surface of the shuttle orbiter.…”