NASA will demonstrate a new Space Technology Mission Directorate-funded technology designed to support the potential return of science payloads to Earth from the International Space Station via deployed small spacecraft in 2017.The space agency said Tuesday the Exo-Brake de-orbit device resembles a cross parachute designed to increase the drag and replace rocket-based systems typically used during the de-orbit phase of payload re-entry.
“Exo-Brake’s current design uses a hybrid system of mechanical struts and flexible cord with a control system that ‘warps’ the Exo-Brake,” said Marcus Murbach, principal investigator and inventor of the Exo-Brake device.
NASA noted the warp system was designed to help engineers guide a spacecraft towards a desired entry point without fuel consumption and support the accuracy of landing future payload return missions.
The Exo-Brake project will reside on the ISS in support of the Technology Education nanosatellite which will lead the Cricket Wireless Sensor Module demonstration that offers real time data to TechEdSat-5.
Exo-Brake was developed as part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Game Changing Development program, NASA added.
