Smart Divert: A New Entry, Descent, and Landing
Architecture
Author(s)
Grant, Michael J.
Advisor(s)
Braun, Robert D.
Editor(s)
Collections
Supplementary to:
Permanent Link
Abstract
Mars robotic landing site selection has been a compromise between scientific interest and
safety. Due to the rather large landed footprint major axis lengths of Viking, Pathfinder,
Mars Exploration Rovers, and Phoenix, mission designers have been forced to orient the
landed ellipse in vast, relatively flat areas to provide high probability of landing success.
Scientists are interested in exploring more geologically interesting areas that contain many
hazards, including sloping terrain, craters, and rocks. Smart Divert provides a new entry,
descent, and landing architecture that could allow robotic missions to safely land in
hazardous terrain. Smart Divert consists of a ballistic entry followed by supersonic
parachute deployment. After parachute release, the vehicle diverts to one of many
predefined, fuel-optimal safe zones. Smart Divert performance and entry design is discussed
and is followed by a discussion of Smart Divert for random terrain. An initial assessment of
optimal landing site arrangement is performed and an example of the usefulness of Smart
Divert is performed for real terrain using Phoenix landing site rock count data.
Sponsor
Date
2008-02-05
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Masters Project
Rights Statement
Unless otherwise noted, all materials are protected under U.S. Copyright Law and all rights are reserved