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Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System Trajectory Reconstruction Algorithms and Flight ResultsThe Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System is a part of the Mars Science Laboratory, Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation project. These sensors are a system of seven pressure transducers linked to ports on the entry vehicle forebody to record the pressure distribution during atmospheric entry. These measured surface pressures are used to generate estimates of atmospheric quantities based on modeled surface pressure distributions. Specifically, angle of attack, angle of sideslip, dynamic pressure, Mach number, and freestream atmospheric properties are reconstructed from the measured pressures. Such data allows for the aerodynamics to become decoupled from the assumed atmospheric properties, allowing for enhanced trajectory reconstruction and performance analysis as well as an aerodynamic reconstruction, which has not been possible in past Mars entry reconstructions. This paper provides details of the data processing algorithms that are utilized for this purpose. The data processing algorithms include two approaches that have commonly been utilized in past planetary entry trajectory reconstruction, and a new approach for this application that makes use of the pressure measurements. The paper describes assessments of data quality and preprocessing, and results of the flight data reduction from atmospheric entry, which occurred on August 5th, 2012.
Document ID
20130003188
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Karlgaard, Christopher D.
(Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Kutty, Prasad
(Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Schoenenberger, Mark
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Shidner, Jeremy
(Binera, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Munk, Michelle
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 27, 2013
Publication Date
January 7, 2013
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation And Astrionics
Report/Patent Number
NF1676L-14793
AIAA Paper 2013-0028
Meeting Information
Meeting: 51st AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting
Location: Grapevine, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: January 7, 2013
End Date: January 10, 2013
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 757285.01.07
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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