SOAREX 7 Launch and Reentry

NASA SOAREX 7 (condensed) launch video from Wallops Island, VA on May 28, 2009. This was a test of a prototype "TDRV," or Tube Deployed Reentry Vehicle designed and built by NASA Ames Research Center. The TDRV is unique in that it has a deployable, flexible heatshield and utilizes a revolutionary geometry which is entirely self-stabilizing, requiring no alignment or spin-stabilization prior to entry. At 15 seconds, TDRV ejection is seen from the rocket. At 22 seconds, the view switches to TDRV onboard video, and shows the vehicle passively go from a tumbling state to stable nose-down entry.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• soarex
• nasa
• wallops
• reentry
• re-entry
• sounding rocket
• tdrv
• scramp
• irve
• ballute
• ames
• space
• rocket
• capsule
• launch

[TheRocketSilo]

shame the probe was spinning out of control

[nasasoarex]

@TheRocketSilo:

The axial spin on reentry is inconsequential. As long as the nose is pointed down (which it is in the video) the vehicle will exhibit maximum atmospheric drag. The fact that it went from being completely disoriented into its optimum orientation with no active control is the whole point of the innovation.

[sekaiheritage]

is there a full video from launch to max altitude?

[nasasoarex]

Yes, but it's very long. The interesting part, scientifically, is from apogee to splash.

[extremelychris]

Cumulonimbus Diablo!!!

[esotericvision]

nice!!!!!

[lavadisco]

Seems like an easy way to bring back something from orbit or further?

[ssaraceno]

This is quite cool!