A prototype capsule that holds the promise of bringing back science experiments from space more quickly was tested in Oregon when it was released from a high-altitude balloon.
NASA's Flight Opportunities Program provided funding support for the flight test, allowing scientists to take a step forward towards creating a new kind of orbital entry return capsule. The test was carried out from a high-altitude balloon develop by Near Space Corporation (NSC), one of the program's providers. The Flight Opportunities Program is tasked with procuring flights on proven commercial suborbital platforms to test out space technologies that NASA is interested in.
NSC's high-altitude balloon was launched around 20 miles up in the atmosphere last June 21. It was carrying a capsule developed by Terminal Velocity Aerospace (TVA), which it released after reaching sufficient height. The capsule dropped back to Earth at a similar velocity it would experience had it actually come from space, its flight demonstrating mission-enabling technology like low-cost electronic and communication systems.
"This launch is critical to ensuring that we have fast, safe, reliable and affordable ways to return important science back to Earth," said Paul De Leon, a program campaign manager from NASA's Ames Research Center.
De Leon further explained that small entry capsules like the one TVA made will allow samples collected by crew members of the International Space Station to be returned back to Earth sooner and more regularly, providing researchers with samples more quickly.
Flight data gathered during the test also gave the Federal Aviation Administration its first validation for the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast tracking technology during the vehicle's re-entry into the planet. The test flight also confirmed the capsule's transmitting ability using a radio frequency-transparent thermal protection material developed by Ames. For protect future capsules, TVA is planning to use two materials developed by the research center.
Dominic DePasquale, TVA CEO, is also pleased with the outcome of the test, grateful to NASA for giving the company the opportunity. He added that the success of the test flight is a testament to the hardworking engineering team at TVA and its partners and a major step towards affordable shipping services in space.
NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center is in charge of managing the Flight Opportunities Program. Ames, on the other hand, handles soliciting and selecting technologies for testing on commercial flight vehicles.
