T0064-B Deployable Rigid Adjustable Guided Final Landing Approach Pinions (DRAG FLAPs)

This study proposes the raising the TRL of flaps through a series of scale model drop tests of increasing sophistication. Proposed is the testing / dropping of scale model(s) from Near Space Corporation’s SBS platform from an altitude of 35km MSL; of which, the tests will be actively controlled and data logged to an onboard memory device. The tests will validate flap deployment, flap actuation, aerodynamic stability, and the control algorithms; as well as provide rare insight into the rigid deployable decelerator concept.