Preliminary design of a large tetrahedral truss/hexagonal panel aerobrake structural system
Abstract
This paper introduces an aerobrake structural concept consisting of two primary components: (1) a lightweight erectable tetrahedral support truss, and (2) a heatshield composed of individual sandwich hexagonal panels which, when attached to the truss, function as a continuous aerobraking surface. A general preliminary analysis procedure to design the aerobrake components is developed, and values of the aerobrake design parameters which minimize the mass and packaging volume for a 120-foot-diameter aerobrake are determined. Sensitivity of the aerobrake design to variations in design parameters is also assessed.
- Publication:
-
AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC 31st Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990ssdm.conf..533D
- Keywords:
-
- Aerobraking;
- Curved Panels;
- Large Space Structures;
- Sandwich Structures;
- Structural Design;
- Trusses;
- Launch Vehicles;
- Manned Mars Missions;
- Tetrahedrons;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles