USCU T I L I Z A T I O N • E V O L U T I O N • L I F E E X T E N S I O N

International Space Station:Investing in Humanity’s Future

Ballute Cargo Ballute Cargo Recovery System Recovery System

(BCRS) for ISS (BCRS) for ISS ExperimentsExperiments

David W. SmithDavid W. SmithASTE 527ASTE 527

December 15, 2009December 15, 2009

USC

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Space Shuttle

• Unique capability - Essential to construction of ISS

• Retirement will dramatically impact ISS logistics

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ISS Logistics in Post-Shuttle Era

• Combination of multiple systems

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ISS Logistics in Post-Shuttle Era

• Up mass requirements can be met, down mass can not

Source: Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee

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Limited Cargo Return Capability

Dragon – 3,000 kg down loadSoyuz – 60 kg down load

Down-mass opportunities per year (2011-2015)

VehicleVehicle Manifested per Manifested per yearyear

Total Mass Total Mass (kg)(kg)

SoyuzSoyuz 44 240240

DragonDragon 22 60006000

62406240

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Cargo Return Demand vs. Capability (NASA/JAXA/ESA/CSA)

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Year

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Year

• Accommodation masses are not included

3 ISS Crew 6 ISS Crew 6 ISS Crew

ISS Assembly ISS Assembly Complete

Crew Supplies

Internal Maintenance and EVA Hardware

Internal Utilization

Russian BarterExternal Utilization

External Maintenance

Return Capability

Source: ISS Panel Report, 2005Note: Orig. Chart is pre-COTS

Approx. 1

0000 kg

Dragon + Soyuz

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A Solution is Required

• Success of ISS could be impacted

• Solutions should– Allow for increase in ISS research

utilization– Be made available quickly to support

shuttle cargo capability gap– Should contribute to future vision of ISS

as means to increase world cooperation

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Ballute Cargo Recovery System(BCRS)

• Uses a ballute vice traditional TPS to decelerate return cargo for reentry

• Purpose - To increase utilization rate of ISS by creating greater opportunity for short turn-around experimentation

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Target Cargo

EXPRESS

Payload ISPR

.25 m.25 m

.5 m.5 m.42 m.42 m

Volume - .06 m3

Mass - ~ 30 kg

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System Description

Master Control Box (MCB)

Component Payload

Bag (CPB)

Lower Ballute Assembly (LBA)

~ 1 m~ 1 m

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System Description(Deployed)

Component Payload Bag

Ballute

Torus

Master Control Box

Re-entry Base Plate

Compression Strut

~ 6 m

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Concept of Operations

Remove EXPRESS Payload & place in CPB

Pressurize the CPB

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Concept of Operations

Remove from ISS on next EVA

Assemble BCRS from components stored in BCRS Locker located on truss

Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) maneuvers BCRS for release

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BCRS spin up and Retrofire

Concept of Operations

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Concept of Operations

Jettison of LBA and deployment of ballute

Re-entry

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Concept of Operations

Descent and Landing Global Recovery

Water

Land

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Resupply CONOPS

BCRS’ transported on EOTV resupply flights

LBA’s

CPB’s

Dragon

HTV

Stored in locker on Truss

…or internally

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Advantages

• Can increase rate of research utilizationCan increase rate of research utilization• A feasible option for accommodating down-A feasible option for accommodating down-

mass logistics during the post-shuttle eramass logistics during the post-shuttle era– Can be implemented in time for needCan be implemented in time for need– More affordable than alternativesMore affordable than alternatives

• Can de-orbit cargo in a more flexible mannerCan de-orbit cargo in a more flexible manner– Small quantitiesSmall quantities– Routine, timely mannerRoutine, timely manner– Low costLow cost– Directly to the experimenter’s location!!Directly to the experimenter’s location!!

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Limitations

• Very small cargo capacity• Poor touch down accuracy

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The Possibilities

• Realize the full potential of the ISS by maximizing its scientific benefit

• Allow greater participation by non-ISS partner nations

Countries with national space programsCountries with national space programs

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Future Work

• Methods for greater touchdown accuracy– Methods for more accurate guidance techniques – High-fidelity modeling of re-entry trajectories

• Sizing up ballutes for use as TPS for the ATV, HTV and Cygnus

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References

• Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation. Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Committee. Report. Oct 2009

• Dragon Overview. Space Exploration Technologies Corporation. Web. 14 Dec 2009. <http://www.spacex.com/dragon.php, accessed 14 Dec 2009>.

• Cabana, Robert. ISS Panel Report. NASA, 2005.

• Clark, Ian G., and Robert D. Braun. "Ballute Entry Systems for Lunar Return and Low-Earth-Orbit Return Missions." Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets May-June 2008 45.No. 3 (2008): 619-30.

• MacKnight, Nigel. "Rescue Ball." www.astronautix.com. Web. 14 Dec 2009. <http://www.astronautix.com/craft/reseball.htm>.

• ISS/STS Sub-Committee. Dr. Sally Ride, Dr. Leroy Chiao, Dr. Charlie Kennel, Gen. Les Lyles. July 28, 2009

• Challenges in Completing and sustaining the International Space Station. GAO. April 24 2008

• International Space Station Familiarization, Mission Operations Directorate. NASA. July 31 1998

• ISS Users Guide, Release 2.0. NASA. downloaded 19 Oct 2009

• Technical support from Andrews Aerospace, Mr. Eric Sundberg and Mr. William Robbins (JSC-OB511)