A review of aerobraking for Mars missions

Abstract

This paper describes prior and current studies of Mars aerobraking, which is a key element in robotic and manned missions to Mars and in the earth-return missions. It is pointed out that, while the studies of the 1960's assumed launch from and return to the earth's surface, current mission scenarios assume departure from and return to an earth orbiting space station, making it necessary to reassess aerobraking for Mars missions. Current studies propose a blunt low-L/D vehicle for both Mars and earth aerobraking. The vehicle's salient design issues such as the lift-to-drag ratio, the ballistic coefficient, and the aerodynamic heating and convective heating considerations are discussed.