(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006-08)
Alemany, Kristina; Wells, Grant William; Theisinger, John; Clark, Ian G.; Braun, Robert D.
Entry, descent, and landing (EDL) is a multidimensional, complex problem, which is
difficult to visualize in simple plots. The purpose of this work is to develop a systematic
visualization scheme that could capture Mars EDL trades as a function of a limited number
of variables, such that programmatic design decisions could be effectively made with insight
of the design space. Using the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) as a basis, contour plots have
been generated for key EDL figures of merit, such as maximum landed elevation and landed
mass as a function of four input parameters: entry mass, entry velocity, entry flight path
angle, and vehicle L/D. Additionally, sensitivity plots have been generated in an attempt to
capture the effects of varying the fixed input parameters. This set of EDL visualization data
has been compiled into a Mars EDL handbook to aid in pre-phase A design space
exploration and decision making.