Tycho Deep Space II

HEAT-1600 taking TDS-II on a suborbital trajectory to Space. Image: Carsten

Brandt.

Tycho Deep Space II is the third generation space capsule, based on lessons learned and technology
transfer from previous Copenhagen Suborbitals space capsules, and the final suborbital mission scenario.
TDSII is a space capsule holding one person on a suborbital trajectory above the Karman-line. The capsule
will be launched at sea on a Copenhagen Suborbitals mobile launch platform, Sputnik, flown into space
and perform a splashdown at sea. Total air time is estimated to be approximately 20 minutes. It will be
launched on HEAT-1600, the largest rocket ever build by amateurs.
Just like the previous capsule, TDSII will be fitted with a Launch Escape System. The concept is sketched
below.
Tycho Deep Space II concept art by Kristian von Bengtson.

TDSII will utilize a Kazbek style seat for the astronaut who will also wear a pressure suit as a precaution
against pressure breach of the hull. Subsystems and their placement on the capsule can be seen on the
sketch below.
TDSII systems overview scetch by Kristian von Bengtson.

The main structure of TDSII is divided into two sections. The lower section (Crew section) which is the
pressurized volume for the astronaut with seat, hatch, internal and external control panels and the
majority of the avionic systems. The top section (Recovery section) which is an unpressurized volume
containing uprighting systems, parachutes, reaction control system and LES-mounting.
The two sections will be produced separately and stacked for final assembly of TDSII using the flat flanges
of each section and a series of large bolts. The top of the lower pressurized volume is a part of the upper
section. Dividing TDSII is done to ease the development process and to provide a large hole (top of the
pressurized volume) for seat installation and removal, as well as eased ingress for general electronic and
avionics installation and testing.
Crew section
The pressurized volume is composed of a lower Ø1600 mm convex disc (re-entry shield) and cone side
plates with a height of 1100 mm. The side plates are attached the approx. Ø1000 mm top flange used for
recover-section attachment. The interior walls must be added structures to withstand the internal
pressure. These structures are 8×80 mm ribs welded to the interior wall. So far, FEM analysis is still being
performed to validate the performance. The pressurized geometry is only breached for the hatch and the
external control panels. The external control panels are placed on one side only, app 90 degrees from the
hatch. The pressurized volumes must be finally checked for leaks and 1.5 bars overpressure before flight.
Note: So far, the interior pressure used for the flight is 1 bar. This is done to create an easy hatch-close to
flight procedure, without having to lower the pressure. Also, a lowered internal pressure poses a serious
problem for the inward opening hatch, which is designed to work from delta pressure 0-1 bar until the
capsule reaches flight attitude with equal outside pressure.
Recovery section
The recovery section consist of a convex disc (top for the pressurized volume) attached the large assembly
flange. On top of the convex disc an Ø600×800 mm parachute module is added. From the assembly flange
and up along the parachute module, rib dividers are placed for uprighting bag installation, high pressure
air for the RCS and external cameras. The top of the rib dividers are used for LES Tower installation. The
sides of the recovery section will be produced as a rib structure with not finally welded sides. Instead
cover plates will be added using blind rivets or bolts. This will make installation and maintenance easier.
The cover plates must be able to withstand aerodynamic forces during flight, and impact forces during
splashdown.
Seating

Seating design for TDSII. Image: Kristian von Bengtson.

The seat is a vital component for the flight, providing a safe and comfortable place for the astronaut
throughout the entire ride. The overall design of the seat is inspired by the Soyuz Kazbek seat providing
the least volumetric use for this function. The person will be having feet close to the buttocks and knees
maximum bent. This subsystem must provide easy access to the hatch, control panels and good hatch
outlook and must provide astronaut attitude orientation in accordance to the accelerations during the
launch, re-entry and splashdown. The mainframe of the seat is aluminium laser cut ribs holding a glass
fibre mould fitting the ergonomics of the astronaut. The mould will be added soft foam fabric for comfort
and the ribs will be added wire rope insulators to obtain general vibrations and oscillations. The seat is
mounted on to the interior structure of the pressurised volume.
Uprighting system
Uprighting makes sure that the capsule maintains a correct attitude in water, post splashdown. It is
important to get the hatch above water and the astronaut in a correct position. It might take hours for the
recovery crew to find the capsule and you need to be in a safe position, even for a solo emergency egress
at sea. Uprighting can be performed using deployment uprighting bags and capsule mass shift (astronaut
movement, flooding). A previous uprighting system was created using custom made PVC bags, solenoid
valves and SodaStream CO2 flasks. The system is activated by data/radio command but can also be
activated by water exposure. For TDSII the idea is to flood an internal independent 300 liter chamber to
create a mass center shift combined with 3 uprighting bags. The complete sequence can be seen in the
image below.

Uprighting system of the TDSII capsule. Image: Kristian von Bengtson.

Under Development and construction

As TDSII is the current man-sized capsule project at CS many details are yet to be deisgned and decided
upon. Thus, this page will be updated with relevant news as they develop.