Published June 21, 2022 | Version v1
Conference paper Open

Landing Leg and Aerodynamic Control Surface Mechanisms and Functional Demonstrators for the RETALT1 Launch Vehicle

  • 1. Almatech, EPFL Innovation Park, Bâtiment D, CH-1015 Lausanne

Description

Within the framework of the EU Horizon 2020 project RETALT (RETro propulsion Assisted Landing Technologies), mechanisms for the RETALT1 reference launch vehicle configuration are investigated. Almatech has studied the actuation of aerodynamic control surfaces, thrust vector control and landing leg mechanisms.

This paper presents an overview of activities, scaled demonstrator design and test of the landing legs and aerodynamic control surfaces. A scaled functional demonstrator of a single leg is built to verify the leg deployment mechanism function and its kinematics. Another scaled leg demonstrator is constructed and tested in a drop tower to verify the leg shock absorbing function, energy dissipation during touchdown. In addition, functional test of the aerodynamic control surfaces is carried out with a scaled fin demonstrator to verify kinematics of deployment from stowed to nominal position, as well as operation, and axis locking functions.

Files

FAR2022_Landing_leg_and_ACS_Mechanisms_RETALT1.pdf

Files (455.1 kB)

Additional details

Funding

RETALT – Retro Propulsion Assisted Landing Technologies 821890
European Commission