Development of an In-Flight Non-Intrusive Mass Capture System

Abstract

The demonstration of an in-flight Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) system for the measurement of mass capture is being developed in the Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) Flight 1 (see Kimmel et al AIAA 2007-534 for full description). The key to integration into a flight payload is to make a system that will both fit into the flight system meaning weight, size and power requirements as well as being able to survive in the much harsher flight environment as compared to the laboratory. This document contains the design consideration and overview of the system as it progressed from bench type hardware to being a fully integrated flight payload.