Hypersonic ReEntry Deployable Glider Experiment (HEDGE): A CubeSAT Approach to Low-Cost Hypersonic Research; A New Cold War?: The Race for Hypersonic Technology and Its Implications for the Global Political Climate

Introduction

Both my technical project and my STS research project revolve around the race for hypersonic technology. “Hypersonic” refers to speeds above Mach 5—or over 3,836 mph—which highlights just how extreme and challenging this regime of flight is. My technical project centers on the development of low-cost hypersonic gliders to better understand the complexities of hypersonic flight. In parallel, my STS research paper examines how the pursuit of hypersonic weapons contributes to an imbalance of power between the U.S. and Russia. More specifically, my STS research paper investigates the reciprocal relationship between human actors—such as the U.S. and Russia—and non-human actors—such as the hypersonic missile itself. Together, these projects have deepened my understanding on why hypersonics has become the main focal point of modern aerospace research.

Technical Project

My technical project, the Hypersonic Reentry Deployable Glider Experiment (HEDGE), aims to demonstrate the viability of a cost-effective, scalable solution for gathering essential data on hypersonic reentry and flight dynamics using CubeSat technology. The project’s primary deliverable is a hypersonic glider that will launch on a RockSat-X sounding rocket in August 2025. During reentry, the glider will transmit real-time telemetry on the structural, thermal, and aerodynamic performance of the glider to a University of Virginia ground station at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. Beyond the technical objectives, HEDGE is designed to introduce students to industry-standard engineering design practices, foster connections between undergraduate students and aerospace professionals, and provide hands-on experience working in an engineering team that mirrors a professional workplace environment. As the Deputy Program Manager of this capstone project, I take on the role of a systems engineer—overseeing schedules, managing costs and funding, and coordinating the team’s presentations to NASA at key review milestones. I also ensure cohesive collaboration among the five subteams—Structures and Integration; Software and Avionics; Attitude, Stability, and Trajectory; Power, Thermal, and Environment; and Communications—by facilitating clear and consistent communication.

STS Research Paper

My STS research paper explores the question: to what extent does the presence of hypersonic technologies create an imbalance of power between the U.S. and Russia? Drawing on Strauss-Howe Generational Theory and a historical comparative analysis of the nuclear arms race and the current race for advanced hypersonic missiles, I argue that weapons of mass destruction and global superpowers are linked in a cyclic relationship. In this dynamic, such weapons are not only tools of deterrence, but also primary drivers of geopolitical instability, reshaping the balance of power among global superpowers. My analysis examines how the development of weapons of mass destruction—both historically and in the modern era—has fueled arms races, reconfigured strategic alliances and dynamics, as well as shifted national economic focus toward developing advanced weapons of mass destruction. These shifts have elevated political tensions between the U.S. and Russia, as both nations compete for dominance and global influence. While some scholars may argue that the development of weapons of mass destruction has played a crucial role in maintaining global peace through deterrence, this theory often overlooks the long-lasting consequences of their proliferation, including civilian harm and heightened global insecurity. Ultimately, I argue that it is up to world superpowers, such as the U.S. and Russia, to implement policies as well as modes of checks and balances to ensure that weapons of mass destruction are not produced without consideration of the safety of innocent civilians and the preservation of international stability.

Conclusion

Working on my technical project alongside my STS research paper allowed me to explore hypersonic technology from both an engineering and sociotechnical perspective. By analyzing the applications of hypersonic technology, such as scram jets and missiles, through hands-on design, fabrication, and testing of a hypersonic glider, I gained valuable insight into why hypersonic research has become the focal point of modern aerospace research. This technical experience greatly contributed to my STS analysis, particularly in understanding how the unique capabilities of hypersonic weapons—namely their speed and near indefensibility—can dramatically shift global power dynamics. Without the hands-on experience of building and testing a hypersonic system, I may not have fully grasped the strategic implications of these technologies. Additionally, the cost-effective nature of my technical project demonstrated how relatively small-scale investments in hypersonics can significantly accelerate research and development. This realization emphasizes a key point in my STS research paper: the U.S.’ continued investment in hypersonics not only advances the field technically, but also amplifies its geopolitical influence on the global stage.