Aerobraking applications to the Venus mapping mission

Aerobraking is directed at using a known technology, aerodynamic drag, as a major tool in removing energy from initial highly-eccentric Earth and planetary orbits, to yield low altitude near circular orbits for scientific remote sensing of planetary surfaces, potential sample return, and retrieval for refurbishment of vehicles in high Earth orbits. This paper develops the application of aerobraking to the Venus mapping mission. The flow field and attendant aerodynamics are defined, as well as conservative operational strategies for implementing orbit circularization by drag. These strategies accommodate atmospheric variations, navigational uncertainties, temperature limits, and time to circularize criteria while minimizing maneuvers to control drag decay, third-body gravity perturbations, and planetary gravity harmonic effects.