University of Kentucky

KRUPS KREPE III: Advancing Hypersonic Re-Entry Technologies with Innovative Spacecraft

Grade Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

Major

Mechanical Engineering & Physics

Minor

Mathematics

Institution 24-25

University of Kentucky

KY House District #

99

KY Senate District #

30

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

The Kentucky Re-Entry Universal Payload System (KRUPS) project advances spacecraft re-entry technology by developing and testing payloads for orbital and suborbital missions. KRUPS aims to enhance understanding of thermal protections systems (TPS) and the re-entry environment using miniature re-entry vehicles. The project is one of the only hypersonic re-entry testbeds and is allowing for affordable access to space. The KRUPS has successfully flown two re-entry missions from the International Space Station (ISS): KREPE I and KREPE II. These missions validated the functionality of the KRUPS vehicle by successfully collecting and transmitting data to the ground.

The Kentucky Re-Entry Universal Payload System (KRUPS) project advances spacecraft re-entry technology by developing and testing payloads for orbital and suborbital missions. KRUPS aims to enhance understanding of thermal protections systems (TPS) and the re-entry environment using miniature re-entry vehicles. The project is one of the only hypersonic re-entry testbeds and is allowing for affordable access to space. The KRUPS has successfully flown two re-entry missions from the International Space Station (ISS): KREPE I and KREPE II. These missions validated the functionality of the KRUPS vehicle by successfully collecting and transmitting data to the ground.

Building on these successes, KREPE III introduces several significant innovations. The upcoming mission in 2026 will evaluate new TPS geometries and materials under re-entry conditions. Additionally, KREPE III will incorporate a novel radio mesh network to enable real-time inter-capsule communication during descent. By leveraging a mesh network, the mission will increase the reliability of data transmission during and after atmospheric re-entry.

The integration of new geometry, TPS materials, and communication technologies in KREPE III provides an opportunity for high-fidelity re-entry data. The data collected will be used to validate aerothermodynamic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. Through these advancements, KRUPS continues to push the boundaries of re-entry research, contributing to the development of innovative aerospace technologies.

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KRUPS KREPE III: Advancing Hypersonic Re-Entry Technologies with Innovative Spacecraft

The Kentucky Re-Entry Universal Payload System (KRUPS) project advances spacecraft re-entry technology by developing and testing payloads for orbital and suborbital missions. KRUPS aims to enhance understanding of thermal protections systems (TPS) and the re-entry environment using miniature re-entry vehicles. The project is one of the only hypersonic re-entry testbeds and is allowing for affordable access to space. The KRUPS has successfully flown two re-entry missions from the International Space Station (ISS): KREPE I and KREPE II. These missions validated the functionality of the KRUPS vehicle by successfully collecting and transmitting data to the ground.

The Kentucky Re-Entry Universal Payload System (KRUPS) project advances spacecraft re-entry technology by developing and testing payloads for orbital and suborbital missions. KRUPS aims to enhance understanding of thermal protections systems (TPS) and the re-entry environment using miniature re-entry vehicles. The project is one of the only hypersonic re-entry testbeds and is allowing for affordable access to space. The KRUPS has successfully flown two re-entry missions from the International Space Station (ISS): KREPE I and KREPE II. These missions validated the functionality of the KRUPS vehicle by successfully collecting and transmitting data to the ground.

Building on these successes, KREPE III introduces several significant innovations. The upcoming mission in 2026 will evaluate new TPS geometries and materials under re-entry conditions. Additionally, KREPE III will incorporate a novel radio mesh network to enable real-time inter-capsule communication during descent. By leveraging a mesh network, the mission will increase the reliability of data transmission during and after atmospheric re-entry.

The integration of new geometry, TPS materials, and communication technologies in KREPE III provides an opportunity for high-fidelity re-entry data. The data collected will be used to validate aerothermodynamic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. Through these advancements, KRUPS continues to push the boundaries of re-entry research, contributing to the development of innovative aerospace technologies.