Aerobraking techniques for planetary missions
Abstract
Aerobraking techniques are applied to trajectory design for the VOIR (Venus Orbiting Imaging Radar) mission to enhance overall mission performance. The approach can be used for other planetary missions such as a Titan orbiter or a Mars sample return to earth. The orientation of the elliptical insertion orbit must be chosen in such a way that the combined effects of solar gravity, central-body harmonics, and drag on periapsis altitude are minimized to avoid frequent maneuvers. The selection of the base and width of a corridor for periapsis altitude depends upon the temperature and integrated heat of the aerobrake shield, the atmospheric density profile, the duration of aerobraking, the number of maneuvers, the time available between maneuvers, and uncertainties in the central-body gravity field and atmospheric density. Flight path profiles for an aerodynamically stable spacecraft and an inertially fixed spacecraft passing through the free molecular flow regime, as well as the transitional flow regime, are illustrated
- Publication:
-
AIAA, Astrodynamics Specialist Conference
- Pub Date:
- August 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981aiaa.confT....T
- Keywords:
-
- Aerobraking;
- Radar Imagery;
- Spacecraft Instruments;
- Spacecraft Propulsion;
- Trajectory Analysis;
- Venus Probes;
- Aerodynamic Stability;
- Atmospheric Models;
- Free Flow;
- Many Body Problem;
- Mars Probes;
- Mars Sample Return Missions;
- Planetary Atmospheres;
- Planetary Gravitation;
- Spacecraft Maneuvers;
- Titan;
- Trajectory Control;
- Transition Flow;
- Venus Atmosphere;
- Astrodynamics