Hypersonic Reentry Deployable Glider Experiment 2 (HEDGE-2): Enabling Low-Cost Hypersonic Research Through a Deployable CubeSat Glider System; Drones as Humanitarian Aid Delivery Systems 7 views

Currently, there is a hypersonic arms race between the United States, China, and Russia, deriving uses such as faster delivery over long distances, increased missile maneuverability, and lower detection rates for defense systems. Traveling at hypersonic speed is usually very expensive, making it difficult for undergraduates and similar groups to conduct experiments and collect data under hypersonic flight conditions. The Hypersonic Reentry Deployable Glider Experiment-2 (HEDGE-2) addresses these limitations by utilizing a reusable CubeSat glider, which will record hypersonic flight data at a fraction of the cost of traditional hypersonic flight. Using off-the-shelf avionics and additive manufacturing, HEDGE-2 will demonstrate how hypersonic experiments can be accessible to the public, as well as contribute to national research objectives. Drones have been developed over numerous decades to conduct a multitude of functions, including humanitarian aid. However, their origins in military research and deployment have defined them as weapons of war or tools of surveillance. This makes it difficult to employ drone systems for civilian applications, such as land mapping, search and rescue missions, or critical supply delivery. Many actors, including humanitarian aid agencies, commercial and industrial leaders, and the military and security institutions, play a role in framing drones as the public perceives them today. Humanitarian drones can become more accepted and further developed by redefining them apart from their historical military counterparts.

BS (Bachelor of Science)

hypersonic; flight; cubesat; avionics; experiment; hedge; drones; humanitarian aid; military; surveillance; industry; security

School of Engineering and Applied Science Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering Technical Advisor: Chris Goyne STS Advisor: Peter Norton Technical Team Members: Elizabeth Armstrong, Saba Niknam, Hannah Soberman, Nand Patel, Logan Tolbert, Rishika Deshmukh, Olivia Sauber, Edison Wong, Gaby Flores, Tristian Scott, Christian Wright

English

2025-12-12