NASA Hypersonic Research National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA Hypersonic Research Jay Dryer Program Director US Hypersonics Industry Team 1st Annual Exhibition May 24, 2011 – Washington DC

Hypersonics Project Goal Develop tools, technologies and knowledge to enable airbreathing access to space and large-mass entry into planetary atmospheres NASA Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) Reference Vehicle Inflatable Reentry Vehicle Concept NASA Human Mars Lander Concept

Hypersonic Airbreathing Technology Roadmap Vehicle Scale 1X 10X 100X User DoD Commercial NASA Application Weapon DoD-ISR, Strike Commercial Cruise Access to Space Year Technology Achieves TRL 6 2020 2030 2040 Long-term, sustained commitment required to achieve airbreathing access to space technology

10X Scramjet Partnership Established with Air Force Objective Develop the physics knowledge, design approaches, tools and test techniques to design and test scramjets 10X > the state of the art (1X = X-51A scramjet) Approach Investigate scale effects on fundamental combustion processes Develop new test techniques utilizing existing infrastructure Validate 10X scramjet design approach (test techniques, combustion CFD codes) Status Joint 10X scramjet test technique effort established with AFRL Propulsion and OSD Test & Engineering Truncated inlet (TRINT) test in GRC 1’ X 1’ Supersonic Wind Tunnel June 2011 6X scale test in LaRC 8’ High Temperature Tunnel 1st Q FY12 Significance New NASA/Air Force partnership required to develop 10X scramjet scaling technology Enabling technology leading to new vehicle classes for long range cruise or access to space missions TRINT inlet hardware

Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) Propulsion Objective Demonstrate mode transition from the low-speed turbine to the high-speed scramjet in a large ground test facility Approach Develop and test large scale, highly complex, parametric wind tunnel model with internal articulating doors and bleed systems to control and optimize performance Develop and demonstrate a propulsion control system Conduct inlet performance, operability and controls studies followed by integration of Mach 3 turbine and simulated scramjet Status Inlet performance testing initiated March 2011 Mach 3 turbine development complete Fully integrated TBCC tests deleted from Project Significance Propulsion mode transition is the single most challenging issue for TBCC propulsion system Enabling technology leading to new vehicle classes for long range cruise or access to space missions Drawing of fully integrated TBCC TBCC inlet installed in GRC 10’ X10’ Supersonic Wind Tunnel

Joint NASA/AFRL Two-Stage-To-Orbit (TSTO) Vehicle Study Mission: 20K# payload, 100 nm orbit due East Objective Rigorously compare 2 different airbreathing TSTO concepts to understand vehicle trade space and to determine the state of the art for conceptual design tools Approach Identify single mission, common ground rules and assumptions, and methods fidelity for both study teams Each organization independently develop a TSTO vehicle Each organization conduct blind assessment of the other organization’s TSTO vehicle concept Status Concept definition and blind studies complete Lessons learned and documentation to be developed Report out at next Executive Research Council Meeting Significance Established a national understanding of the state of the art and challenges of airbreathing access to space vehicle conceptual design Study will lead to investment strategy decisions NASA turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) booster (1st stage) with rocket-powered orbiter Air Force rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC) orbiter (2nd stage) concept

Partnerships Are Critical HIFiRE Flight 2 NASA-USAF TSTO Study X-51 Testing NASA Research Announcements and the NASA and AFOSR jointly funded National Hypersonic Science Centers

Summary The Hypersonics Project is in the midst of a refocusing planning effort due to a 50% reduction. NASA research is focused on advancing the state of the art and the transition of knowledge and technologies to the community. We need to build on recent success of programs such as X-51, and use these flight opportunities to advance fundamental research. Continue the “community” partnership approach to advance the field.