Planetary exploration may be enhanced by the use of aircraft for mobility. This paper reviews the development of aircraft for planetary exploration missions at NASA and reviews the power and propulsion options for planetary aircraft. Several advanced concepts for aircraft exploration, including the use of in situ resources, the possibility of a flexible all-solid-state aircraft, the use of entomopters on Mars, and the possibility of aerostat exploration of Titan, are presented.
Overview of Innovative Aircraft Power and Propulsion Systems and Their Applications for Planetary Exploration
2003
19 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Propulsion system performance , Nasa space programs , Planetary mapping , Aircraft , Titan , Aircraft engines , Space platforms , Airships , Space missions , In situ resource utilization , Aircraft fuels , Astronautics , Space exploration , Propulsion system configurations , Pilotless aircraft , Internal combustion engines , General overviews