Enabling Entry Technologies for Ice Giant MissionsThe proposed poster will highlight two NASA developed entry technologies that are enablers for Ice Giant Missions. They are: (1) Heat-shield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET), and (2) Adaptable, Deployable, Entry, and Placement Technology (ADEPT), a mechanically deployable entry system. HEEET development is complete and is at TRL 6. HEEET is ready for Ice Giant in situ probe missions, and HEEET is an enabler for either direct ballistic entry or entry from Orbit. NASA plans to sustain the HEEET capability as it is needed for Venus, Saturn and higher speed sample return missions in addition to Ice Giant Missions. The emerging recognition among the scientific community that by delivering the probe from orbit will allow for simultaneous in-situ and orbital measurement can be enabled by aerocapture using ADEPT. The drag modulated aerocapture (DMA) with ADEPT is the simplest approach that can deliver an orbiter and probe together and without the significant penalty associated with propulsive insertion. Studies performed by JPL and NASA Ames teams point to this very promising possibility. Numerous DMA with ADEPT studies point to its applicability to small spacecraft missions as well as Ice Giant missions. The poster will present the current state of readiness of HEEET, ADEPT and DMA.
Document ID
20200000498
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Venkatapathy, E. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Austin, A. (Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology (CalTech) Pasadena, CA, United States)
Cassell, A. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Ellerby, D. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Gage, P. (Millennium Engineering and Integration Co. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Prabhu, D. (Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Wercinski, P. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)