SHARP B1 (left)[NASA]
The SHARP (Slender Hypervelocity Aero-thermodynamic Research Probes) program, a joint effort among NASA, Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. Air Force, to investigate reentry bodys with sharp leading edges. The SHARP B probes were modified Mk.12 reentry vehicles launched on routine training launches of Minuteman-3 missiles.
The test objectives of the May 1997 SHARP-B1 flight will be to demonstrate the non-ablating performance of the 3D UHTC "sharp" nosetip by performing a ballistic entry through the aerothermal performance constraint, and to correlate ground based sensors with flight sensors to characterize the material performance.
SHARP-B2, a follow-on flight test to SHARP-B1 successfully flown in 1997, demonstrated the performance of 1-mm radius Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic (UHTC) leading edges at Mach numbers greater than 22 and altitudes greater than 43 km. Four UHTC leading edge strakes were flown on a modified USAF Mk12 reentry vehicle. The launch vehicle was a Minuteman III. A successful mission was flown 28 September 2000. SHARP-B2 impacted the Kwajalein lagoon at the designated target point and was recovered October 1.
Nation: | USA |
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Type / Application: | Reentry technology |
Operator: | NASA, Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. Air Force |
Contractors: | |
Equipment: | ? |
Configuration: | Cone (modified Mk.12 reentry vehicle) |
Propulsion: | ? |
Power: | Batteries |
Lifetime: | |
Mass: | |
Orbit: | suborbital |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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SHARP B1 | N/A | 21.05.1997 | Va LF-04 | * | Minuteman-3 | with 2 Mk.12 |
SHARP B2 | N/A | 28.09.2000 | Va LF-09 | * | Minuteman-3 | with 2 Mk.12 |