Magazine Article

Dedicated Deployable Aerobraking Structure

TBMG-8326

08/01/2010

Abstract
Content

A dedicated deployable aerobraking structure concept was developed that significantly increases the effective area of a spacecraft during aerobraking by up to a factor of 5 or more (depending on spacecraft size) without substantially increasing total spacecraft mass. Increasing the effective aerobraking area of a spacecraft (without significantly increasing spacecraft mass) results in a corresponding reduction in the time required for aerobraking. For example, if the effective area of a spacecraft is doubled, the time required for aero-braking is roughly reduced to half the previous value. The dedicated deployable aerobraking structure thus enables significantly shorter aerobraking phases, which results in reduced mission cost, risk, and allows science operations to begin earlier in the mission.

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Citation
"Dedicated Deployable Aerobraking Structure," Mobility Engineering, August 1, 2010.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Aug 1, 2010
Product Code
TBMG-8326
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English