HTP Flight Test Services
Response to “NASA AFRC Hypersonic Test Planning Service”
Notice ID 80AFRC25SS001
introduction
Mobile telemetry systems are a necessary component of any test range facility. To maintain the situational awareness needed for the safe execution of a missile test or space launch, controllers must have access to a continuous stream of position and event information from the launch vehicle. Since many trajectories extend beyond the reach of fixed tracking and telemetry stations, the data must be provided by a mobile, reliable asset equipped to monitor the test vehicle and return the information to controllers in near-real-time. Vambrace, Inc. has developed a cost-effective and responsive instrumentation system designed for worldwide mission support and to augment existing telemetry systems to provide the test range customer with the situational awareness needed for mission assurance.
The system design has been completed, and a prototype has been integrated for test. Ground tests are currently underway, and flight test is anticipated by the end of FY23. The design incorporates 100% commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment and can accommodate various mission scenarios, depending on the customer’s needs.
Past Performance
Based on the legacy Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA) concept (see below), which was developed by NASA to support the Apollo program, our system has been developed in response to a shortfall in cost-effective telemetry assets available for worldwide flight test and space launch support. The current state-of-the-art commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology can provide a telemetry suite to meet any launch operator’s goal of remote (ground and airborne) data acquisition and flight analysis. In addition, it preserves cost-effective “man in the loop” oversight which is vital to monitor autonomously guided test articles.
The Vambrace team comprises engineers and technicians with decades of experience in telemetry support, program management, and aircraft operations. A majority of them have extensive experience executing the ARIA mission. In addition, we have developed relationships with aircraft providers, flight test experts, and data analysts.
current capabilities
Based on the legacy ARIA performance capabilities, our system has been developed in response to a shortfall in telemetry assets available for worldwide flight test and space launch support. The current state-of-the-art commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology can provide a telemetry suite to meet any launch operator’s mobile, deployable data acquisition and flight analysis goal.
A highly versatile, mobile telemetry system can help alleviate the impact of the expected growth in telemetry coverage requirements for flight test space operations. The system is portable and can be used for ground and airborne applications. We have demonstrated the ease of transporting our system from coast to coast to conduct ground testing. For airborne applications, business-class jets are capable of being configured to provide the required telemetry coverage. With ranges of several thousand miles, high service ceilings, relatively low costs, and the ability to operate from thousands of small airfields, such aircraft equipped with an advanced telemetry suite could provide coverage over the world's most remote areas.
If airborne operations are required, the system is placed in the passenger cabin, with antennas temporarily affixed to windows and a receiver/data recorder placed in a seat once airborne. The data can be re-transmitted in real time to the user via the aircraft’s satellite communications system and recorded for archival purposes. The equipment is removed upon mission completion, and the aircraft is returned to the operator, avoiding the costs of supporting an aircraft when not dedicated to the test program. This also provides scalability in the event multiple aircraft may need support.
The combined cost reductions of using COTS equipment also allow a higher level of system redundancy. This redundancy is critical to the ability of the system to assure mission success and acquisition of all data required, even in the event of a subsystem failure.
Ground test results to date have indicated signal reception quality exceeds expectations in monitoring near-earth orbit platforms. A notional flight profile and mission is illustrated above.
Challenges
Several attempts have been made to “piggyback” on hypersonic vehicle flight tests off the West Coast. Unfortunately, coordination issues have prevented us from participating in these flights. We are looking forward to overcoming these challenges.
Government Furnished Resources
To fully evaluate the system against actual launches, access to vehicle telemetry and launch parameters and coordination with respective range assets before and during a live launch would be highly desired.
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