Andrews Space, Inc. Wins Contract to Flight Test a Variable-Drag Ballute
SEATTLE, Washington, December 16, 2004 - Andrews Space, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a $598,622 Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from NASA to design, develop, and flight test a variable-drag hypersonic ballute in transonic conditions.
"The ballute is a critical technology for improving the economics of space transportation," said Dr. Dana Andrews, Chief Technology Officer at Andrews Space. Dr. Andrews added, "Ballutes provide an efficient method to re-enter exploration planetary probes as well as recover valuable payloads and cargo from the International Space Station."
A Ballute is a pressure-stabilized, inflatable membrane that provides a large, blunt, high-drag surface for aero-braking systems. Ballutes offer significant advantages over rigid shells for aerocapture and reentry of spacecraft by providing simplified packaging and lower total weight.
During the Phase II SBIR, Andrews will develop and flight test a subscale demonstration system. The ballute unit will decelerate from 100,000 ft and Mach 2.8, experience transition from supersonic to subsonic flight, and be recovered using a parachute. Flight test data will be used to refine the ballute design and develop a larger operational systems for NASA's Project Constellation.
The SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs provide an opportunity for small, high technology companies and research institutions to participate in Government sponsored research and development efforts in key technology areas.
For more information about NASA's Office of Exploration Systems, visit: http://exploration.nasa.gov.
About the Company
Andrews Space, Inc. was founded in 1999 to be a catalyst in the commercialization and development of space. The Company is an affordable integrator of aerospace systems and developer of advanced space technologies. To learn more, please visit: www.andrews-space.com.
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