NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Calculation of Zonal Winds using Accelerometer and Rate Data from Mars Global SurveyorThe Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft was initially placed into a high eccentricity, nearly polar orbit about Mars with a 45-hour period. To accomplish the science objectives of the mission, a 2-hour, circular orbit was required. Using a method known as aerobraking, numerous passes through the upper atmosphere slowed the spacecraft, thereby reducing the orbital period and eccentricity. To successfully perform aerobraking, the spacecraft was designed to be longitudinally, aerodynamically stable in pitch and yaw. Since the orbit is nearly polar, the yaw orientation of the spacecraft was sensitive to disturbances caused by the zonal components of wind (east-to-west or west-to-east) acting on the spacecraft at aerobraking altitudes. Zonal wind velocities were computed by equating the aerodynamic and inertia-related torques acting on the spacecraft. Comparisons of calculated zonal winds with those computed from the Mars Thermospheric Global Circulation Model are discussed.
Document ID
20090007593
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Baird, Darren T.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Tolson, Robert
(North Carolina State Univ. Hampton, VA, United States)
Bougher, Stephen
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Steers, Brian
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
August 21, 2006
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference
Location: Keystone, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: August 21, 2006
End Date: August 24, 2006
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Mars thermospheric winds
Mars Zonal Winds
Mars Global Surveyor

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available