Online Archive of University of Virginia Scholarship
HEDGE-2: A Low-Cost Hypersonic Deployable Glider; From Beanie Babies to the Stars: CubeSats and the Democratization of Technology8 views
Author
Armstrong, Elizabeth, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia0009-0004-5962-5344
Advisors
Norton, Peter, EN-Engineering and Society, University of Virginia
Goyne, Chris, EN-Mech & Aero Engr Dept, University of Virginia
Abstract
Cost and accessibility barriers have largely prevented the participation of universities and smaller institutions in hypersonic flight research. The CubeSat framework can extend access to such research.
The Hypersonic reEntry Deployable Glider Experiment (HEDGE) aims to expand access to hypersonic research through an affordable 3U CubeSat-based design. The 3U will be able to transform into a deployable glider, allowing for the collection of hypersonic flight data during atmospheric reentry following launch from a NASA sounding rocket. The design integrates onboard avionics, data acquisition, and telemetry systems to allow for the transmission of real-time velocity, temperature, and pressure data. By utilizing the small, standardized, and cost-effective nature of CubeSats, HEDGE lowers the financial burden of hypersonic testing and enables universities to conduct meaningful flight experiments for a fraction of traditional costs.
CubeSats have democratized access to space, extending satellite development from government agencies to universities and companies. By comparing CubeSats to calculators, cameras, and personal computers, technological democratization is shown to be a means through which technology becomes more widely available. Standardization, reduced cost, and lowered skill barriers facilitate broader participation, helping reshape who can contribute to technological advancement. Therefore, CubeSats illustrate how democratization can alter the distribution of power behind technological development.
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Technical Advisor: Christopher Goyne
STS Advisor: Peter Norton
Technical Team Members: Zach Davis, Rishika Deshmukh, Gaby Flores, Saba Niknam, Nand Patel, Olivia Sauber, Tristan Scott, Hannah Soberman, Logan Tolbert, Edison Wong, Christian Wright, Humzah Rubel
Language
English
Rights
All rights reserved by the author (no additional license for public reuse)
Armstrong, Elizabeth. HEDGE-2: A Low-Cost Hypersonic Deployable Glider; From Beanie Babies to the Stars: CubeSats and the Democratization of Technology. University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Science, BS (Bachelor of Science), 2026-05-08, https://doi.org/10.18130/44n1-kw84.
