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T0139-S

Adaptable Deployable Entry and Placement Technology (ADEPT)

PI: Paul Wercinski, NASA/Ames Research Center

ADEPT (Adaptable, Deployable Entry Placement Technology) is a game changing technology development project within the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) to develop, test and demonstrate a deployable aeroshell concept as a viable thermal protection system (TPS) for entry, descent and landing (EDL) of science and exploration class payload missions. The entry system concept consists of a series of deployable ribs and struts, connected with a flexible fabric skin which when deployed functions as a semi-rigid aeroshell entry system to perform entry, descent and landing (EDL) functions. In addition to acting as the aeroshell structural surface, the fabric skin serves as the primary component of the EDL thermal protection system (TPS). This concept will be used to safely deploy scientific payloads or enable long term human exploration to other planets.

Feature article (Sep 2018)
ADEPT, A Mechanically Deployable Re-Entry Vehicle System, Enabling Interplanetary CubeSat and Small Satellite Missions
ADEPT SR-1 Flight Experiment Fact Sheet
ADEPT sounding rocket one (SR-1) flight experiment overview
NASA Edge interview with ADEPT Principal Investigator Paul Wercinski [May 26, 2016]
Dandelander Mission Concept

Technology Areas (?)
  • TA09 Entry, Descent and Landing Systems
  • TA14 Thermal Management Systems
Problem Statement

ADEPT (Adaptable, Deployable Entry Placement Technology) is a game changing technology development project within the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) to develop, test and demonstrate a deployable aeroshell concept as a viable thermal protection system (TPS) for entry, descent and landing (EDL) of science and exploration class payload missions. The entry system concept consists of a series of deployable ribs and struts, connected with a flexible fabric skin which when deployed functions as a semi-rigid aeroshell entry system to perform entry, descent and landing (EDL) functions. In addition to acting as the aeroshell structural surface, the fabric skin serves as the primary component of the EDL thermal protection system (TPS). This concept will be used to safely deploy scientific payloads or enable long term human exploration to other planets.

Technology Maturation

STMD Game Changing Development Program is funding ADEPT to develop technology to TRL 5 in the next 3-4 years. Focus to date has been on Venus 6m-diameter class missions. Current interest is in performing a near-term flight test for a sub-1m class “Nano-ADEPT” leveraging a sub-orbital flight test with release at high altitude or a balloon drop.

Technology Details

  • Selection Date
    NASA Directed
  • Program Status
    Active
  • Current TRL (?)
    TRL 4
    Successful FOP Flights
  • 1 sRLV

Development Team

Web Accessibility and Privacy Notices Curator: Alexander van Dijk Responsible NASA Official: Stephan Ord Last Update: November 16, 2018