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Mars Science Laboratory Propulsive Maneuver Design and ExecutionThe NASA Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, Curiosity, was launched on November 26, 2011 and successfully landed at the Gale Crater on Mars. For the 8-month interplanetary trajectory from Earth to Mars, five nominal and two contingency trajectory correction maneuvers (TCM) were planned. The goal of these TCMs was to accurately deliver the spacecraft to the desired atmospheric entry aimpoint in Martian atmosphere so as to ensure a high probability of successful landing on the Mars surface. The primary mission requirements on maneuver performance were the total mission propellant usage and the entry flight path angle (EFPA) delivery accuracy. They were comfortably met in this mission. In this paper we will describe the spacecraft propulsion system, TCM constraints and requirements, TCM design processes, and their implementation and verification.
Document ID
20150004646
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Wong, Mau C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Kangas, Julie A.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Ballard, Christopher G.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Gustafson, Eric D.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Martin-Mur, Tomas J.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
April 8, 2015
Publication Date
October 29, 2012
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: October 29, 2012
End Date: November 2, 2012
Sponsors: Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
maneuver
navigation
Mars

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