@inproceedings{d90691a69c13486daadc2f754a2aec92,
title = "Supersonic retropropulsion on robotic Mars landers: Selected design trades",
abstract = "Many concepts for future robotic Mars lander missions require landing heavier payloads than those landed to date. Mars lander architectures to date have relied on a parachute to help slow the lander; however, the effectiveness of a parachute in the thin Martian atmosphere is diminished with heavier payloads unless the diameter of the parachute is increased or it is deployed at a higher Mach number, both of which are significant technical challenges. In addition, the parachute can be successfully deployed only within a specific Mach number and dynamic pressure range. Targeting the entry trajectory to hit this “Mach-Q box” imposes constraints on the entry ballistic coefficient, limiting it to ~ 150-200 kg/m^2. Eliminating the parachute from the design requires descent engine ignition at supersonic speeds (Supersonic Retropropulsion, or SRP). SRP increases the propellant requirement, but also allows entry ballistic coefficients of ~600 kg/m^2 or more, with the consequence of significantly increased entry mass and landed payload mass.",
author = "Wolf, {Aron A.} and Connor Noyes and William Strauss and Joel Benito and Marcus Lobbia and John McCann and Barry Nakazono and Putnam, {Zachary R.} and Lorenz, {Christopher G.}",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 California Institute of Technology.; AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, 2018 ; Conference date: 19-08-2018 Through 23-08-2018",
year = "2018",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9780877036579",
series = "Advances in the Astronautical Sciences",
publisher = "Univelt Inc.",
pages = "643--657",
editor = "Puneet Singla and Weisman, {Ryan M.} and Marchand, {Belinda G.} and Jones, {Brandon A.}",
booktitle = "AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, 2018",
}