Mini Irene Flight Experiment (MIFE)

IRENE is a small re-entry platform intended for several applications including payload retrieval from LEO. It is equipped with a deployable, flexible aerobrake and allows low-cost short-notice missions. In order to advance the TRL of this technology at a reasonable cost, a scaleddown flight demonstrator (MINI IRENE), fully representative of IRENE is proposed to be tested with help of a sounding rocket.   A successful Phase B of MINI IRENE has been recently completed with the construction and test of a ground demonstrator. The next step, objective of the present proposal, is to realize a flight hardware which will be tested in the frame of the DLR Mapheus sounding rocket mission for 2016 as piggyback payload.    

The following activities have been implemented during the study:   Interface analysis and adaptation of the capsule to the mechanical constraints. Mission analysis and thermomechanical analysis of the new configuration. Detailed design and construction of the critical components of the capsule: Dampers, Locking Mechanism, Release Mechanism. Interface with the rocket. Electronics (OBDH, Beacon, Sensors, Deployment of sensors and antenna, power supply). Surface treatments. Tests of the critical elements (rods, shock absorbers, fabric, elect. cards etc..): Deployment mechanism (functionality). Deployment activation mechanism. Aerobrake (aerodynamics and stability test). Fabric (Thermal and Mechanical test). Test or static loads on the aerobrake structure. Crash (drop test) dummy structural model. Electronics (test in vacuum). Delivery system and electronic activation. TLC (Tele-command)Test. Definition of the qualification testing of the entire capsule. Final design of the capsule and of all the subsystems. Construction of the capsule and of all the subsystems. Testing and qualification of all the subsystems: Vibration test on complete system. Functionality test (in thermo-vacuum conditions) of the system. Assembly, integration and qualification of the capsule. Delta qualification of the complete hardware on Scirocco plasma facility. Launch campaign, recovery and post-fligth data analysis.