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NASA Langley Trajectory Simulation Capabilities for Mars Reconnaissance OrbiterMars Reconnaissance Orbiter will launch in August 2005 and will achieve Mars Orbit Insertion in March of 2006. It will then take approximately six months to use the process of aerobraking to shape its orbit into the desired science mapping orbit. This six-month period is arguably the phase of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission with the highest risk to the spacecraft, dipping to within 100 km of the planet. This process requires enough atmospheric drag to slow the spacecraft and circularize the orbit while remaining high enough in the Mars atmosphere as to not risk thermal degradation of spacecraft components. This paper will discuss the trajectory simulation and several analyses performed at NASA Langley Research Center to support a successful aerobraking phase of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission.
Document ID
20050082146
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Prince, Jill L. Hanna (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Striepe, Scott A. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Report/Patent Number
Paper-AAS-05-217
Meeting Information
Meeting: 15th AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Conference
Location: Copper Mountain, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: January 23, 2005
End Date: January 27, 2005
Funding Number(s)
OTHER: 23-892-10
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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