Alternate Access to Station (AAS)

The International Space Station (ISS) will nominally utilize the Shuttle, the Russian Progress, or the Automated Transfer Vehicle for re-supply. In the event that these delivery methods are unavailable, NASA desires a contingency re-supply service for the ISS that would enhance ISS operability (e.g., relieving the manifest demands of the aforementioned primary re-supply carriers) or meet critical ISS needs (e.g., launch on demand).

While working at Andrews Space I was part of a team developing the Commercial Science and Logistics Vehicle (CSLV). The CSLV module was designed to be launched on a variety of of existing commercial launch vehicles and assure access to the International Space Station (ISS) when the prime systems are not available.

The CSLV concept uses an innovative reentry system called the Ballute (Ballon Parachute). It is an inflatable drag device, mounted on the front end of the vehicle. During reentry it increases the drag of the cylindrical vehicle to safely reach near sonic speeds, when a conventional parachute can be deployed for the remaining part of reentry and landing. Ballutes have been used previously in a trailing configuration, especially for the deployment of munitions.

Ballutes are also being considered for interplanetary mission (reentry at Titan), and emergency personal reentry devices (orbital parachutes).