The last month a lot of work was done related to the uprighting system of space capsule Tycho Deep Space. This system involving four inflatable bags will be used to help the space capsule position itself in a correct attitude after splash down. For more info on this system please read these previous blog posts:

Space Capsule Buoyancy and Uprighting Studies

Space Capsule Buoyancy Work From Wired Readers

The uprighting system is placed in the top part of the space capsule. But to prevent minor destruction to the capsule due to ongoing development and possible test failure anger I created a replica of one of the 4 inflation sides as seen below.

This quarter piece test chamber has been used violently for several tests with different internal configurations holding the bags and guide rails preventing the bag to be stuck (and burst) in the corners during inflation.

The bags are being protected during flight by an aluminum cover fixated to the outside hull using pop rivets. The bag itself is supposed to “jettison” the aluminum cover during inflation which requires the bags to be resistant to this procedure or protected by a buffer material.

While the first real size (diameter 700 mm) prototype of an inflatable bag is being done we have tested the aluminum cover vs “a bag” procedure a couple of times and it seems to be an OK idea for know. These tests can be seen in the video below. The aluminum covers are made as the real McCoy but I have used half sized beach balls for inflation bags just to start somewhere.

Some time ago I got an E-mail from yet another Wired-reader, Dominic Cosserat, who has done simulation work on Tycho Deep Space buoyancy with 700 mm inflation bags. This work is very interesting and seems to indicate that the design and positioning of the bags might work. Dominic has agreed to perform more simulation to help out the capsule development, so thank you very much Dominic! His work can be seen in the video below.

So far, the idea is still to inflate the bags using pressure tanks with carbon dioxide. Each bag contains about 200+ liters and should have a final maximum pressure at 1.5 bars. The inflation can either be initiated by salt water contact or remote controlled.

There are still many tests to perform on the quarter piece chamber before we know for certain that this systems is reliable and ready to be installed on the real space capsule. It will continue to be a development process along with all the others and you will get to see all results (and setbacks) here at Wired.

Ad Astra

Kristian von Bengtson