Aerobraking technology for manned space transportation systems

The paper discusses aerobraking technology for manned missions to Mars. Special attention is given to the human and technical parameters that strongly affect the design of aerobrakes and the aerothermodynamic environment which will be encountered during atmospheric passage to Mars, and to the thermal protection technology for aerobrakes, including some recent developments in ablative thermal protection materials. Some results of tests are presented, and recommendations are made for future technology developments in aerobraking.