Flight control methodologies for Neptune aerocapture trajectories

Deshmukh, Rohan; Spencer, David A.; Dutta, Soumyo

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.01.004

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Finally, to make the planetary probe work in designed orbits throughout its life cycle, orbit control is usually indispensable [23,32,[39][40][41]; the orbit control methods applicable to the four giant planets' probes are also worthy of in-depth study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Semi-Analytical Search for Sun-Synchronous and Planet Synchronous Orbits around Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune

Yang

Jiang

et al. 2022

Mathematics

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With the development of aerospace science and technology, more and more probes are expected to be deployed around extraterrestrial planets. In this paper, some special orbits around Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are discussed and analyzed. The design methods of some special orbits are sorted out, considering the actual motion parameters and main perturbation forces of these four planets. The characteristics of sun-synchronous orbits, repeating ground track orbits, and synchronous planet orbits surrounding these plants are analyzed and compared. The analysis results show that Uranus does not have sun-synchronous orbits in the general sense. This paper also preliminarily calculates the orbital parameters of some special orbits around these planets, including the relationship between the semi-major axis, the eccentricity and the orbital inclination of the sun-synchronous orbits, the range of the regression coefficient of the sun-synchronous repeating ground track orbits, and the orbital parameters of synchronous planet orbits, laying a foundation for more accurate orbit design of future planetary probes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research on the detection of Uranus and Neptune has been carried out. Rohan et al [23] have designed the incident orbit of the Neptune detector. Cohen et al [24] have begun to study the detector design of Uranus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Semi-Analytical Search for Sun-Synchronous and Planet Synchronous Orbits around Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune

Yang

Jiang

et al. 2022

Mathematics

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show abstract

“…Even though aerocapture is not currently considered for the Uranus Orbiter and Probe which is the top priority for the Flagship mission of the next decade [22,23], studies have shown aerocapture offers significant mission design advantages [24]. Aerocapture has also been shown to provide signficant benefits for a New Frontiers class Titan orbiter [25,26], and a Neptune Flagship mission [27,28].…”

Section: Applications For Future Missionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small Low-Cost Orbiters for Planetary Science using Photon and Aerocapture

Pradeepkumar Girija

2023

Preprint

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With advancements in low-cost launchers and small interplanetary spacecraft, NASA has recognized the potential of small missions to perform focused planetary science investigations at Mars and Venus. The EscaPADE, part of the NASA SIMPLEx program will deliver two small spacecraft to elliptical orbits around Mars using the Photon spacecraft. Orbit insertion, particularly to low-circular orbits requires significant propellant, taking up a substantial fraction of the Photon wet mass and present a significant challenge for small missions. The large ΔV requirements for low-circular orbit make it difficult to insert small satellites into these orbits even with the highly capable Photon, as the total ΔV for Earth escape and orbit insertion exceeds its capability. Drag modulation aerocapture offers a promising alternative, using the atmospheric drag to obtain the large ΔV.The study shows how the Photon when combined with drag modulation aerocapture can deliver small orbiters to low-circular orbits, enabling a wide range of small orbiter missions. Aerocapture eliminates the need for Photon to provide 2 to 3.5 km/s of ΔV for orbit insertion, which translate into mass and cost savings, and can enable frequent low-cost small orbiters and small satellite constellations at Mars and Venus in the near future.

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A Flagship-class Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission concept using aerocapture

Girija

2023

Acta Astronautica

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Flight control methodologies for Neptune aerocapture trajectories

Cited by 8 publications

References 23 publications

Semi-Analytical Search for Sun-Synchronous and Planet Synchronous Orbits around Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune

Semi-Analytical Search for Sun-Synchronous and Planet Synchronous Orbits around Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune

Small Low-Cost Orbiters for Planetary Science using Photon and Aerocapture

A Flagship-class Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission concept using aerocapture

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