Electronics and Sensor Subsystem Design for Daedalus 2 on REXUS 29: An Autorotation Probe for Sub-Orbital Re-Entry

TL;DR

This paper discusses the design of electronics and sensor systems for Daedalus 2, a high-altitude descent experiment using auto-rotation, focusing on reliability and robustness challenges.

Contribution

It introduces new approaches for electronics subsystem reliability, including redundant communication, mechanical decoupling, and fault-tolerant power sources.

Findings

Successful implementation of redundant communication links

Mechanical decoupling improves system robustness

Fault-tolerant power sources enhance reliability

Abstract

The Daedalus 2 mission aboard REXUS 29 is a technology demonstrator for an alternative descent mechanism for very high altitude drops based on auto-rotation. It consists of two probes that are ejected from a sounding rocket at an altitude of about 80 km and decelerate to a soft landing using only a passive rotor with pitch control. This type of autonomous, scientific experiment poses great challenges upon the electronics subsystem, which include mechanical stress, power system reliability, sensor redundancy, subsystem communication, and development procedures. Based on the data gathered in Daedalus 1 multiple new approaches were developed to fulfill these requirements, such as redundant communication links, mechanical decoupling of PCBs and fault-tolerant power source selection.