Physiological constraints on deceleration during the aerocapture of manned vehicles
Abstract
The technique of atmospheric braking for manned interplanetary missions is described and the deceleration limits that must be imposed on the maneuver because of the physiological deconditioning of the crew are explored. Application of an appropriate deceleration constraint is important since it significantly impacts mission architecture and aerobrake design. Approximate reentry deceleration pulses following long-duration Soviet flights are presented and compared with aerobraking deceleration profiles at earth and Mars. For sprint class missions, Soviet data strongly support the use of a 5-G constraint but emphasize the need for an adequate in-flight exercise program to maintain deceleration tolerance. For long-duration missions (2.5-3 yr), a 5-G limit can be applied to the aerocapture at Mars, but further research is needed to determine an appropriate limit for the earth return case.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
- Pub Date:
- May 1994
- DOI:
- 10.2514/3.26458
- Bibcode:
- 1994JSpRo..31..443L
- Keywords:
-
- Acceleration Tolerance;
- Aerobraking;
- Aerocapture;
- Bioastronautics;
- Deceleration;
- Gravitational Physiology;
- Interplanetary Flight;
- Long Duration Space Flight;
- Manned Space Flight;
- Deconditioning;
- Mission Planning;
- Physical Exercise;
- Physiological Factors;
- Astronautics (General)