Morphing Enabling Technologies for Aerospace Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Flexible morphing deployable aeroshells are increasingly emerging as novel and alternative concepts for performing the controlled re-entry and precise landing of space vehicles. Shape morphing during entry could enable trajectory control by providing enhanced versatility and flight maneuverability, otherwise not achievable with the current rigid decelerators. Additionally, a tailored heat flux and an optimal induced temperature distribution can effectively protect the payload from the re-entry environment.

This Special Issue is dedicated to novel perspectives in modern de-orbiting and re-entry systems featuring advanced mechanisms for the structural shape control of both inflatable and mechanically deployable systems to accomplish the desired entry trajectories and improved landing accuracy by modulating lift over drag. In the development of solutions to these challenges, articles may address various topics, ranging from the structural design of deployment mechanisms (the physical obstruction producing aerodynamic drag) to the aeroshell’s ability to reduce the peak heating rates through a decreased ballistic coefficient, including novel design concepts, entry vehicle trajectory simulations, aerothermal assessments, multibody analyses, and multi-objective optimization.

This initiative is the result of the long-term scientific and technical cooperation between Italy and Brazil concerning space science. The Guest Editors are the PIs of the SPLASH (Self-Deployable Flexible Aeroshell for De-Orbiting and Space Re-Entry) project, funded in part by a grant from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) for the Italian side, and by CONFAP through the involved State Funding Agencies (FAPs) for the Brazilian side.

Dr. Ignazio Dimino
Dr. Cristian Vendittozzi
Guest Editors

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