Analysis of a terminal landing on Mars
Abstract
This study consists of a preliminary performance and sensitivity assessment of trajectory and guidance capabilities of a Mars terminal landing phase. The phase begins with the end of the entry phase, which is at parachute deployment. Therefore, the trajectory investigated in this study starts at parachute deployment and continues through parachute jettison and finally propulsive deceleration and maneuvering to a specified landing site. Various landing navigation maneuver schemes and environmental conditions for the lander are investigated and their performance analyzed. Effects of atmospheric density and surface wind deviations on landing guidance are investigated using stochastic wind and density models. Simulation shows that the lander guidance is robust to wind and density dispersions. Density dispersions are found to be more critical for a precision landing than wind dispersions. Also, because of the aerodynamic characteristics of current aeroshell vehicle designs, very little terminal maneuvering is allowed for navigation.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
- Pub Date:
- January 1995
- DOI:
- 10.2514/3.26586
- Bibcode:
- 1995JSpRo..32..142T
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Density;
- Atmospheric Effects;
- Ground Wind;
- Landing Simulation;
- Mars Landing;
- Parachute Descent;
- Soft Landing;
- Terminal Guidance;
- Trajectory Control;
- Wind Effects;
- Atmospheric Models;
- Landing Sites;
- Maneuverability;
- Mars Atmosphere;
- Stochastic Processes;
- Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance