IRDT - INFLATABLE RE-ENTRY AND DESCENT TECHNOLOGY THE IRDT-2 MISSION AND FUTURE APPLICATIONS

摘要

This paper will present the results of the second demonstration mission of IRDT, which was launched into orbit early July 2002. The first testflight successfully demonstrated its performance in 2000. The Inflatable Re-entry and Descent Technology (IRDT), an innovative lightweight return technology, is designed to provide significant mass and cost savings compared to conventionally fixed heat shield and parachute systems for returning elements from space. This technology is highly attractive for a broad range of applications, e.g. return of small capsules, larger objects like the European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) or launcher elements from an Earth orbit and may also be used for planetary missions. IRDT can be adapted to existing vehicles or be used as baseline for new vehicles. Potential future application scenarios, e.g. a Download System to return payload from the International Space Station ISS, will also be described.