Location
Holiday Inn, Manatee Room
Start Date
24-4-1990 2:00 PM
End Date
24-4-1990 5:00 PM
Description
The MIKROBA-system (MIKRO-g with BAlloon drop capsules) is a new facility in the German Microgravity Programme providing reduced gravity at a level <, 10~^ g for time periods of approximately 57 - 60 seconds.
The drop capsule is attached to a stratospheric balloon (volume » 600.000 cubic meter) and will be carried up to altitudes between 40 and 45 km. After reaching its floating altitude the capsule will be released via telecommand. During the free-fall inside the capsule microgravity condition is realized. The aerodynamic drag (induced by increasing air density and velocity of the capsule especially at the end of the drop phase) is compensated by a controlable cold gas thrust system. Parachute acitivation at altitudes between 20 and 14 km terminates the period of microgravity and guarantees a soft landing. When the main parachute is deployed at 3 km altitude th.e capsule tilts to horizontal position and two airbags will be inflated and damp the touch down shock. The capsule is returned by helicopter or car to the launch site.
Paper Session I-C - MIKROBA -Mission Opportunity for Microgravity Payloads
Holiday Inn, Manatee Room
The MIKROBA-system (MIKRO-g with BAlloon drop capsules) is a new facility in the German Microgravity Programme providing reduced gravity at a level <, 10~^ g for time periods of approximately 57 - 60 seconds.
The drop capsule is attached to a stratospheric balloon (volume » 600.000 cubic meter) and will be carried up to altitudes between 40 and 45 km. After reaching its floating altitude the capsule will be released via telecommand. During the free-fall inside the capsule microgravity condition is realized. The aerodynamic drag (induced by increasing air density and velocity of the capsule especially at the end of the drop phase) is compensated by a controlable cold gas thrust system. Parachute acitivation at altitudes between 20 and 14 km terminates the period of microgravity and guarantees a soft landing. When the main parachute is deployed at 3 km altitude th.e capsule tilts to horizontal position and two airbags will be inflated and damp the touch down shock. The capsule is returned by helicopter or car to the launch site.
Comments
Small Microgravity Carriers
Session Chairman: Charles Lundquist, Director, Consortium for Materials Development in Space, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Session Organizer: Dwight Easterly, CSAT, Cocoa Beach, FL