FLIGHT TEST OF THE ROTON ATV

摘要

The flight test program of the Roton Atmospheric Test Vehicle had two primary objectives. One was to examine the suitability of a rotor recovery system for a reusable space vehicle. The second was to evaluate the handling qualities of the full-scale vehicle during the approach to landing phase of the mission. Flight tests were preceded by component and ground tests. Component testing proved out the basic functionality of the rotor tip rockets and their integrated performance once installed in the rotor blades. Ground testing verified the integrity of the combined airframe, rotor and crew cabin controls and displays. Flight-testing involved three flights, two hovering, and one translational. The examined envelope included 0-75 feet AGL and 0 -50 knots ground speed. A forth flight has been planned but not executed that would more closely resembled the profile expected to be flown by the Roton during its final recovery following atmospheric re-entry. This test program successfully demonstrated pilot-in-the-loop control of the vehicle, validated the fidelity of the on-board simulator and the potential of utilizing a rotor system for terminal control and landing of a rocket.