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Under the Radar: Trials and Tribulations of Landing on MarsThe Mars Phoenix Mission requires a ground-sensing radar altimeter/ velocimeter to meet touchdown velocity requirements During Phase C/D, the radar underwent a testing triptych: a) Aerial Testing, both captive carry and tethered drop tests (36 sorties, approx. 80 hrs). b) Testing with Electronic Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) on the bench (500+ hrs). c) Detailed Simulation including both RF physics and internal firmware logic (100,000+ simulated landings). All three venues were implemented to provide sufficient uniqueness and overlap to: a) Verify the radar is meeting its requirements. b) Validate radar performance within the flight system and environment. Significant discoveries were attributed to each of the three elements of the testing triptych, leading to greatly improved EDL system robustness. An overview of the testing triptych methodology, discoveries, and responses to them will be subsequently discussed.
Document ID
20100018418
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Bailey, Erik
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Chen, Curtis
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Shaffer, Scott
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Skulsky, Eli D.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 2008
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation And Astrionics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Rocky Mountain Section 31st Annual GN and C Conference
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: February 1, 2008
End Date: February 6, 2008
Sponsors: American Astronautical Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Mars Phoenix Mission
Entry, Descent & Landing (EDL) system
Guidance, Navigation and Control Fault Management
Mars rovers
Phoenix landing radar testing

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