The design of an efficient Thermal Protection System (TPS) remains one of the most challenging tasks of planetary exploration missions. Because of the harshness of atmospheric entry environments, ground tests cannot replicate these conditions. Consequently, engineers must rely on numerical models that often lack validation data. To provide a path toward inexpensive validation, the Kentucky Reentry Universal Payload System (KRUPS) spacecraft is being developed at the University of Kentucky. As a technology maturation step toward this overall goal, several KRUPS capsules are to be released from sub-orbital flights. In August 2017, a sub-scale version of the KRUPS capsule was successfully ejected at 150 km of altitude, from a sub-orbital sounding rocket. The goal of this first launch was to raise the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) to TRL 6 by demonstrating data acquisition, communication, sensing, and TPS design. The capsule re-entered the atmosphere, and successfully established communication with satellites. However, no data packet was transmitted. This first launch was nevertheless deemed a success, and paved the way for the next series of full scale missions.
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