2.2 Atmospheric Trajectories.docVIP

2.2 Atmospheric Trajectories Nicholas H. Saadah Nomenclature cD = Coefficient of drag cL = Coefficient of lift FD = Drag force FL = Lift force msc = Spacecraft mass = Dynamic pressure r = Distance from center of planet S = Reference area v = Velocity x = Distance along unit vector y = Distance along unit vector ( = Spacecraft angle of attack with respect to velocity vector ( = Gravitational parameter (mass of planet . universal gravitational constant) 2.2.1 Introduction We use aerocapture to place our vehicle into an elliptic orbit about the destination planet. In the case of the HAB (Habitation Module) and the ERV (Earth Return Vehicle), the destination planet is Mars while for the CTV (Crew Transfer Vehicle), the destination planet is Earth. Once in orbit about the destination planet, we present three options. If nothing is done, the spacecraft orbits the planet once, then contacts the planet’s surface on the succeeding pass through the atmosphere. We can perform a maneuver at apoapsis to raise the periapsis above the level of sensible atmosphere. We can also perform a maneuver at apoapsis to raise the periapsis to a level such that repeated passes through the atmosphere will eventually cause the spacecraft to contact the planet’s surface (aerobraking). The advantage of these schemes over a direct entry to the planet (aeroentry) are decreased g-loading on the spacecraft. 2.2.2 Analysis of the Algorithm We solve the second order equations governing the motion of the spacecraft (Eqs. 2.2.1-2.2.6) with MATLAB’s ordinary differential equation solver. (2.2.1) (2.2.2) where: 1 (2.2.3) 2 (2.2.4) 1 (2.2.5) 2 (2.2.6) The transfer arc characteristics set the arrival velocity, however we can easily vary the arrival flight path angle by performing small maneuvers far from the planet. The goal of the mission is to land on the planet in question and not to hit a specific target, thus the arc length of the trajectory is not of concer