EXPERT: The ESA Experimental Re-entry test-bed programme

Paper number

IAC-08.D2.6.3

Author

Mr. Giuseppe Reibaldi, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. José Gavira, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Year

2008

Abstract

EXPERT is developed by the European space agency in order to provide high quality data on the critical aero-thermodynamic phenomenon encountered during hypersonic flights. The EXPERT is equipped with 16 experiments provided by several scientific institutions all around Europe. 

EXPERT will be launched from the Pacific Ocean into a sub-orbital trajectory by the Volna Russian launch system which is a submarine-based decommissioned ICBM. After a ballistic flight, it will land on the Kamchatka peninsula by means of a parachute. It will then be recovered for post-flight analysis. The launch is expected in 2010. 

The collected flight results are expected to benefit all atmospheric re-entry activities ranging from future human and cargo orbital transportation systems to re-usable launchers as well as scientific probes. 

The paper shall describe the status of the programme as well as the main challenges and the expected benefit. 

 

Abstract document

IAC-08.D2.6.3.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.D2.6.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.