Inflatable re-Entry and Descent Technology - Fantasy and Reality

Paper number

IAC-07-C2.7.04

Author

Dr. Valeri S. Finchenko, Lavochkin Association, Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Georgy Polishchuk, Lavochkin Association, Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Alexander A. Moisheev, Lavochkin Association, Russia

Coauthor

Mr. Konstantin Pitchkhadze, Lavochkin Association, Russia

Year

2007

Abstract

The contemporary development of the world cosmonautic has a character of complicated cosmic problems that demand to employ bulky auxiliary systems and arrangements, which increase the spacecraft’s (SC) mass. These problems can be solved by use some new technologies only. The technology of inflatable elements in SC construction application is one of such perspective and effective technologies that can determine the further progress in the space sphere. 
In fact, the using of this technology can give us the possibility to create, for example, SC with the solar sail as thrust engine, the big size antenna’s systems of space radio telescopes, solar batteries for SC which demand high electric consumption, inflatable systems to carry out the aerobraking in rarefied layers of atmosphere to do the entry SC in the dense atmospheric layers without any reactive impulse, etc. 
Designing of the inflatable braking devices for the re-entry and landing SC on the planet’s surface (so called Inflatable Re-entry and Descent Technology - IRDT) is the special case using of the technology of inflatable elements in SC construction application. This technology allows create the some fantastic projects in the research sphere of the Solar system planets. The positive results, which were achieved in this technology at this time, indicate the possibility to turn fantasy into reality. 
This article represents the description of series descent modules projects with inflatable braking devices that were designed in Russia, Europe and USA. It shows also the technical possibilities and advantages such descent modules in comparison with descent modules that have the rigid front shield. The analysis is made of the basic results of the experimental investigations of such devices in the paper. Some principal problems are signified in this paper that necessary to solve when devices of such design are created, and the means of these problems solving are indicated. 

Abstract document

IAC-07-C2.7.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-C2.7.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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