Development of Supersonic Retro-Propulsion for Future Mars Entry Descent Landing Systems
Author(s)
Edquist, Karl T.
Dyakonov, Artem A.
Korzun, Ashley M.
Shidner, Jeremy D.
Studak, Joseph W.
Tigges, Michael A.
Kipp, Devin M.
Prakash, Ravi
Trumble, Kerry A.
Dupzyk, Ian C.
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Abstract
Recent studies have concluded that Viking-era entry system technologies are reaching
their practical limits and must be succeeded by new methods capable of delivering large
payloads (> 10 metric tons) required for human exploration of Mars. One such technology,
termed Supersonic Retropropulsion, has been proposed as an enabling deceleration
technique. However, in order to be considered for future NASA flight projects, this
technology will require significant maturation beyond its current state. This paper proposes
a roadmap for advancing the component technologies to a point where Supersonic Retropropulsion can be reliably used on future Mars missions to land much larger payloads than
are currently possible using Viking-based systems. The development roadmap includes
technology gates that are achieved through testing and/or analysis, culminating with subscale
flight tests in Earth atmosphere that demonstrate stable and controlled flight. The
component technologies requiring advancement include large engines capable of throttling,
computational models for entry vehicle aerodynamic/propulsive force and moment
interactions, aerothermodynamic environments modeling, entry vehicle stability and control
methods, integrated systems engineering and analyses, and high-fidelity six degree-of freedom
trajectory simulations. Quantifiable metrics are also proposed as a means to gage
the technical progress of Supersonic Retropropulsion. Finally, an aggressive schedule is
proposed for advancing the technology through sub-scale flight tests at Earth by 2016.
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Date
2010-06
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