Reentry Breakup Recorder
Encyclopedia
A Reentry Breakup Recorder (REBR) is a device that is designed to be placed aboard a spacecraft
to record pertinent data when the spacecraft (intentionally) breaks up as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.
The device records data regarding the thermal, acceleration, rotational and other stresses the vehicle is subject to. In the final stages it transmits the data back to a laboratory before it is destroyed when it hits the surface.
, which reentered Earth's atmosphere on 21 June 2011.
The Kounotori 2 vehicle re-entered on 30 March 2011. Its REBR successfully collected and returned its data; it survived the impact with the ocean and while floating continued to transmit. It is expected to take between 6 and 8 weeks to analyze the data.
The second unit was intended to collect data during the reentry of the Johannes Kepler ATV
; however the device failed to make contact after reentry and subsequently no data was retrieved.
Spacecraft
A spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo....
to record pertinent data when the spacecraft (intentionally) breaks up as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.
The device records data regarding the thermal, acceleration, rotational and other stresses the vehicle is subject to. In the final stages it transmits the data back to a laboratory before it is destroyed when it hits the surface.
History
The first two REBRs were launched in January 2011 on the Japanese Kounotori 2 transfer vehicle. One recorded the subsequent re-entry of that vehicle, and the other was placed aboard the Johannes Kepler ATVJohannes Kepler ATV
The Johannes Kepler ATV, or Automated Transfer Vehicle 002 , was an unmanned cargo resupply spacecraft launched by the European Space Agency . It was named after the German astronomer Johannes Kepler. The spacecraft was launched on 17 February 2011, on a mission to supply the International Space...
, which reentered Earth's atmosphere on 21 June 2011.
The Kounotori 2 vehicle re-entered on 30 March 2011. Its REBR successfully collected and returned its data; it survived the impact with the ocean and while floating continued to transmit. It is expected to take between 6 and 8 weeks to analyze the data.
The second unit was intended to collect data during the reentry of the Johannes Kepler ATV
Johannes Kepler ATV
The Johannes Kepler ATV, or Automated Transfer Vehicle 002 , was an unmanned cargo resupply spacecraft launched by the European Space Agency . It was named after the German astronomer Johannes Kepler. The spacecraft was launched on 17 February 2011, on a mission to supply the International Space...
; however the device failed to make contact after reentry and subsequently no data was retrieved.
External links
- Photo and diagram of the first REBRs, April 2011.