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Title: Analysis-test correlation of airbag impact for Mars landing

Conference ·
OSTI ID:482039

The NASA Mars Pathfinder mission is intended to demonstrate key low cost technologies for use in future science missions to Mars. Among these technologies is the landing system. Upon entering in Martian atmosphere at about 7000 m/sec., the spacecraft will deploy a series of breaking devices (parachute and solid rockets) to slow down its speed to less than 20 m/sec. as it impacts with the Martian ground. To cushion science instruments form the landing impact, an airbag system is inflated to surround the lander approximately five seconds before impact. After multiple bounces, the lander/airbags comes to rest, the airbags are deflated and retracted, and the lander opens up its petals to allow a microrover to begin exploration. Of interest here, is the final landing phase. Specifically, this paper will focus on the methodology used to simulate the nonlinear dynamics of lander/airbags landing impact, and how this simulation correlates with initial tests.

OSTI ID:
482039
Report Number(s):
CONF-960503-; TRN: 97:002904-0071
Resource Relation:
Conference: 1. international conference on nonlinear problems in aviation and aerospace, Daytona Beach, FL (United States), 9-11 May 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of First international conference on nonlinear problems in aviation & aerospace; Sivasundaram, S. [ed.]; PB: 729 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English