Integration of Direct-Write Sensors and Interconnects for Sounding Rocket Payload Test Platforms

Sounding rockets present an excellent platform for long-duration studies in the hypersonic flow regime, however the environmental conditions during flight are extreme, thus placing significant constraints on sensor technologies integrated into such applications. MesoScribe has developed a process technology for harsh-environment sensor fabrication that is well suited for instrumenting sounding rockets for hypersonic studies. Thermocouples, strain gauges, heat flux sensors, and skin friction represent sensors in various stages of development (thermocouples are the most mature; skin friction the least). Founded in 2002, MesoScribe Technologies, Inc. has been developing sensors for harsh environments since its inception in 2002. This Phase I proposal is aimed at adapting Mesoscribe’s unique direct-write technology for integrating its sensor capabilities into applications for hypersonic flight, particularly using NASA’s sounding rocket test platform. BENEFIT: The integration of Mesoscribe’s direct-write sensor technologies for hypersonic flight vehicles has significant and widespread potential application in many DoD applications. As there has been a renewed interest in hypersonic studies and designs, the ability to make reliable in-flight flow measurements such as temperature, strain, heat flux, and skin friction is critical. If MST''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s sensors offerings are successfully developed and tested, they would become flight-proven technologies for a host of current and future hypersonic programs, both space- and ground-based.