Project DAEDALUS: The First Latin-American Microgravity Research Plane

Paper number

IAC-09.A2.I.2

Author

Mr. Ronnie Nader, Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency - EXA, Ecuador

Coauthor

Prof. Patricio Salazar, Ecuador

Coauthor

Dr. Gonzalo Naranjo, Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency - EXA, Ecuador

Year

2009

Abstract

Up until May 2008 there was no way to access a microgravity research facility in the Latin-American region that can offer more than 4 or at most 5 seconds of high quality microgravity conditions, Project DAEDALUS was a joint project of the Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency (EXA) and the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) to develop the first Latin-American microgravity plane, so far 7 missions have been flown achieving a maximum of 18 seconds per parabola in microgravity conditions with averages of 0.006G. The plane uses a cybernetic approach to achieve high quality micro-G conditions, with the design and implementation of the Multi Vector Gravimetric Computing Platform (MGCP-MK4) by the EXA, a tool that allows pilots with almost no experience in parabolic flight to perform near perfect parabolas for creating high quality, research grade micro-G conditions.


Purpose: To provide a high quality, research grade microgravity platform for the Latin-America region.

Methodology: By designing and building a Multi Vector Gravimetric Computing Platform (MGCP-MK4), to integrate it into the FAE-047 Sabreliner 040 jet and training pilots and mission commanders  

Results: 7 missions flown in 2008, achieving a maximum of 18 seconds per parabola in microgravity conditions with averages of 0.006G, also a microgravity world record was achieved.

Conclusions: Over the collected mission data and mission reports.

Contents: 
Introduction/Background 
Cost management and the local problematics
The MGCP design philosophy
Information flow during mission
Mission reports
Results and Conclusions

Material in this paper is new, there has never been a paper about DAEDALUS since its first flight in May 2008. 
Financing for presenting this paper is ensured and endorsed by the Ecuadorian Space Agency.

Abstract document

IAC-09.A2.I.2.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-09.A2.I.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.