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T0168-S

Suborbital Flight Experiment Monitor-2 (SFEM-2)

PI: Kathryn M. Hurlbert, NASA/Johnson Space Center

This project is to complete early instrumentation flights of the SFEM-2 on (a) suborbital vehicle(s). The primary objective is to characterize the test environment on these new flight vehicles in support of the NASA Flight Opportunities program and other programs/projects that develop payloads. This work also supports Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) and multiphase flow systems (e.g., cryogenic liquids) by evaluating test platforms for variable-g sensitive components (e.g., separators) and systems (e.g., water processing) [also see T0020]. Currently, ground-based testing is largely limited to parabolic aircraft providing very short duration conditions. Suborbital flight testing will allow longer duration, continuous operational testing with variable gravity over a wider range.

Technology Areas (?)
  • TA02 In-Space Propulsion Technologies
  • TA03 Space Power & energy Storage
  • TA06 Human Health, Life Support and Habitation Systems
Problem Statement

The SFEM-2 is an augmented version of current instrumentation being flown to characterize the test environment in suborbital vehicles. This new integrated package provides not only acceleration data, etc., but cabin temperature, pressure, CO2 and acoustic measurements.

Technology Maturation

The SFEM-2 will employ a Modular Integrated Stackable Layers (MISL) instrument already designated for suborbital testing, and a COTS acoustic sensor already being developed for Orion and/or ISS. An additional benefit is early testing of the acoustic sensor that is a candidate for Orion and ISS. No one has yet fully characterized the test environment for suborbital vehicles.

Technology Details

  • Selection Date
    NASA Internal (Jul 2016)
  • Program Status
    Active
  • Current TRL (?)
    Unknown
    Successful FOP Flights
  • 3 sRLV

Development Team

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