Title:
Guided Entry Performance of Low Ballistic
Coefficient Vehicles at Mars
Guided Entry Performance of Low Ballistic
Coefficient Vehicles at Mars
Author(s)
Meginnis, Ian M.
Advisor(s)
Braun, Robert D.
Editor(s)
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Abstract
Current Mars entry, descent, and landing technology is near its performance limit and is generally
unable to land payloads on the surface that exceed approximately 1 metric ton. One option for increasing
landed payload mass capability is decreasing the entry vehicle’s hypersonic ballistic coefficient. A lower
ballistic coefficient vehicle decelerates higher in the atmosphere, providing additional timeline and altitude
margin necessary for landing more massive payloads. This study analyzed the guided entry performance of
several low ballistic coefficient vehicle concepts at Mars. A terminal point controller guidance algorithm,
based on the Apollo Final Phase algorithm, was used to provide precision targeting capability. Terminal
accuracy, peak deceleration, peak heat rate, and integrated heat load were assessed and compared to a
traditional Mars entry vehicle concept to determine the effects of lowering the vehicle ballistic coefficient
on entry performance. Results indicate that, while terminal accuracy degrades slightly with decreasing
ballistic coefficient, the terminal accuracy and other performance metrics remain within reasonable
bounds for ballistic coefficients as low as 1 kg/m2
. As such, this investigation demonstrates that from a
performance standpoint, guided entry vehicles with low ballistic coefficients (large diameters) may be
feasible at Mars. Additionally, flight performance may be improved through the use of guidance schemes
designed specifically for low ballistic coefficient vehicles, as well as novel terminal descent systems designed
around low ballistic coefficient trajectories
Sponsor
Date Issued
2012-05-21
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