Aerobots (robotic balloons) may significantly change the future of in situ planetary exploration. On Ve1nus, aerobots may serve as the scientific platforms for the in situ measurement of atmospheric gases and for the study of atmospheric circulation. They can be used to drop imaging and deep sounding probes at sites of interest and to acquire and relay high-rate imaging data. Balloon technology is enabling for any Venus surface sample return mission because of the need to lift the sample above most of the atmosphere for rocket return to Earth or Venus orbit. On Mars, aerobots can fill the gap in imaging resolution/coverage between the orbiters and rovers, and perform investigation involving atmospheric sampling, atmospheric circulation, magnetic field mapping and subsurface radar sounding. Solar-heated balloons could be used as low atmospheric decelerators for low-speed landing. On Titan, powered aerobots or even passive balloons can perform long duration low-altitude flight for surface mapping, in situ atmospheric measurements, periodic in situ surface sampling and deployment of surface packages. Progressively successful flight tests of different aerobots in the past several years signify major progress in the development of planetary aerobot technology. Two types of full scale Mars balloon prototypes were successfully deployed and inflated in the Mars-like environment of the Earth's stratosphere. A one-third scale prototype of the Titan airship made of cryogenic flexible material was built and tested at the Titan surface temperature of 93 K. A full-size mockup of Titan airship was aerially deployed and inflated during a helicopter drop test.
Major Progress in Planetary Aerobot Technologies
01.03.2007
1183149 byte
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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