Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
12-3-2020
Year of Publication
2021
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
Document Type
Master's Thesis
College
Engineering
Department/School/Program
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Alexandre Martin
Second Advisor
Dr. William T. Smith
Abstract
Due to the uniqueness of atmospheric entry environments, ground facilities cannot accurately replicate re-entry conditions. Consequently, scientists primarily rely on numerical models to predict these conditions and inform Thermal Protection System (TPS) designs. These models often lack flight validation, which is necessary for increasing their fidelity. Thus, there is a substantial need to obtain such data to advance modeling capabilities.
The Kentucky Re-entry Universal Payload System (KRUPS) is an adaptable test-bed for scientific experimentation with initial application to TPS. This vehicle was designed at the University of Kentucky to serve as an inexpensive means of obtaining validation data to enhance models developed at the university. KRUPS will be conducting its first orbital mission in July, 2021 on board Cygnus NG-15, a resupply vehicle serving the International Space Station. This mission, dubbed Kentucky Re-Entry Probe Experiment (KREPE) will provide the first set of relevant flight data for comparison and validation of computational results for the vehicle.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2021.001
Funding Information
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award 80NSSC19K1103 in 2019
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award 80NSSC19M0014 in 2019
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award 80NSSC18K1670 in 2019
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Kentucky Award NNX15AR69H in 2019
Recommended Citation
Nichols, James Tyler, "The Kentucky Re-Entry Universal Payload System (KRUPS): Orbital Flight" (2021). Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical Engineering. 165.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/me_etds/165
Included in
Space Vehicles Commons, Structures and Materials Commons, Systems Engineering and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Commons
