The CMC-based Flap Structure for the ATHEAt Hypersonic Vehicle

Kurzfassung

The DLR project ATHEAt focused on key technologies for prolonged flight at very high Mach number, between 9 and 10, representative of the challenging conditions characterizing the operation of reusable first or upper stages. With the aim of collecting precious aerothermal data for control surfaces in hypersonic regime, an innovative flap system was implemented in the ATHEAt scientific payload. It included four flaps, which were connected to a pneumatic actuator in order to be moved simultaneously from a 5° initial deflection angle to the extreme case of 20° during the sounding rocket flight. The present paper gives an overview on the structural flap design, defined on the basis of the ATHEAt flight mission, and some preliminary flight data.