The Sharp Edge Flight Experiment SHEFEX II, a Mission Overview and Status

Abstract

After the successful flight of SHEFEX I the next mission is under development. Within this paper the basic goals and architecture of the SHEFEX II mission will be presented. Also launched by a two staged sounding rocket system SHEFEX II will be a consequent next step in technology test and demonstration. Considering all experience and collected flight data obtained during the SHEFEX I Mission, the test vehicle will be re-designed and extended by an active control system, which allows active aerodynamic control during the re-entry phase. Thus, ceramic based aerodynamic control elements like rudders or flaps, mechanical actuators and an automatic electronic control unit will be implemented. Special focus will be taken on improved GNC Elements. In addition, some other experiments including an actively cooled thermal protection element, advanced sensor equipment, high temperature antenna inserts etc. are part of the SHEFEX II experimental payload.