Department of Aerospace Engineering

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AE 590 Seminar: System Analysis Lessons for an Integrated Control Design for Deployable Entry Vehicles

Event Type
Seminar/Symposium
Sponsor
Department of Aerospace Engineering
Location
CIF 2039
Date
Sep 15, 2022   12:00 - 1:00 pm  
Speaker
Dr. Sarah D’Souza, NASA Ames Research Center
Registration
Registration
Contact
Courtney McLearin
E-Mail
cmcleari@illinois.edu
Views
45
Originating Calendar
Aerospace Engineering Seminars

Abstract:  The current state-of-the-art for entry control systems is rooted in heritage entry, descent, and landing (EDL) systems such as Apollo and Mars Science Laboratory. These rigid entry vehicles used Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters, installed within the backshell, to achieve the desired bank command profile [1]. In recent years, NASA has invested in game changing entry vehicle technologies, including the Deployable Entry Vehicles (DEV) concept. DEVs are radically different from rigid entry vehicles because DEVs have no backshell, making unavailable the typical locations for installation of RCS thrusters and associated fuel lines. In order to overcome this challenge, aerodynamic control systems are being considered as the primary means of entry precision targeting for DEVs. Dr. D’Souza will discuss NASA’s Pterodactyl Project’s lessons learned from characterizing the mechanical feasibility and targeting performance of an aerodynamic control system (flaps) installed on two variants of a mechanically deployed DEV technology called the Adaptable, Deployable, Entry and Placement Technology (ADEPT).

This seminar is optional for students enrolled in AE590. 

This seminar was moved to CIF 2039.

About the presenter: Dr. Sarah D’Souza is an Aerospace Flight Systems Engineer at NASA Ames Research Center, where she works on different aeronautics and aerospace projects. She is currently the Orion Thermal Protection System (TPS) Deputy System Manager. She was previously detailed to NASA Glenn Research Center to the Orion European Service Module Integration Office as an Associate Program Lead Engineer. She received her Bachelor’s of Science, Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of California at Davis (UC Davis) in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering. Dr. D’Souza’s technical experience includes research and engineering in a laboratory, engineering, and space operations environment at NASA. Her primary expertise is in Flight Dynamics and Entry Spacecraft Guidance.

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