Meteorological accuracy requirements for aerobraking orbital transfer vehiclesAccuracy requirements for the prediction of atmospheric density for a transfer mission from geosynchronous orbit to low earth orbit using an aerobraking orbital transfer vehicle are presented. Uniform density variations such as would occur seasonally and diurnally were considered as well as density 'pockets' similar to what may have been observed on some of the Space Shuttle Orbiter entry flights. Variations in the lift-to-drag ratio from 0.3 to 1.5 were evaluated, with the values of the ratio of the vehicle weight to the product of the aerodynamic lift coefficient and the aerodynamic reference area ranging from 20 to 100 lb/sq ft. The results of the study indicated no problems for the range of lift-to-drag ratio values considered for uniform density variations of at least + or - 50 percent. However, density 'pockets' created problems if variations of + or - 30 percent from nominal occurred over altitude ranges of 1,000 to 10,000 ft.
Document ID
19840035050
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Skalecki, L. M. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Cerimele, C. J. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Gamble, J. D. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)