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FaLling Aerogel Re-entry Experiment (FLARE)

Project Description: 

FLARE is an Aerospace Engineering Sciences graduate project at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥, Boulder in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL).  The project goal is to research and design a novel cost effective solution for performing high-altitude atmospheric research (50-100 km) using lightweight reusable probes. In order to accomplish this, FLARE dropsondes will incorporate off-the-shelf, miniature global positioning system (GPS) transmitting/receiving equipment encapsulated within an extremely low-density polymer aerogel. These probes can be launched using a custom deployer at the apogee of any commercial  suborbital spacecraft with an initial focus on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The project goal for the 2022/23 academic year is to mature the technology readiness level (TRL) of a preliminary design  for dropsondes and external dispensers, and to develop and deliver a fully-operational system prototype that can be  integrated with the JHUAPL developed JANUS system for power and data control.

Collaborator: Todd Smith & Larray Paxton from the John Hopkins University

Advisor: Tomoko Matsuo 

Research Assistant:Valerie Svaldi 

PM: Aaron Pickens

Team Roster: Aaron Pickens, Moe Suemura, Hunter Singh

Project Files: 

-System Concept Review:SCR

-Preliminary Design Review: PDR