Final Test |
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During the test was present the ASI (Italian Space Agency), DIAS (University of Naples) and ALI Consortium (Prime Contractor) representatives. IRENE (Italian Re-Entry NacellE) is an ASI programme conceived to allow SME (mainly from Campania and Lazio regions) to realize an innovative and low-cost space project that could eventually exploit commercial off-the shelves materials and components coupled with an innovative architecture and design process. The aim of the project is to realize a small and simple re-entry system for unmanned missions from LEO (150 Kg of re-entry mass with 40 Kg of payload). In order to meet such demanding goal the design team has choose a modular blunted cone architecture for pure ballistic trajectory (L/D ratio in hypersonic regime = 0) with an peculiar heatshield divided in two main parts:
This particular configuration allows IRENE to be hosted in minimal shroud reducing drag during launch phase and it allows the spacecraft to be hosted in a various range of possible launchers, in this way it is possible to minimize launch volume and orbital mass also maximize payload and reducing overall costs. |