Abstract In January 2004, the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission successfully landed two landers on the surface of Mars. Both landers delivered a rover to the surface using an entry, descent, and landing (EDL) scenario based on Mars Pathfinder heritage. However, the entry conditions and environments were different from that of Mars Pathfinder. Unique challenges were present due to the entry differences of a heavier entry mass, less dense atmosphere, and higher surface landing site altitude. These differences resulted in a higher terminal velocity and less time for performing all the EDL events as compared to Mars Pathfinder. As a result of these differences, modifications were made to the MER EDL systems to safely deliver the rovers to the surface of Mars. An overview of the design modifications made to the MER EDL system compared to MPF is described.
Entry, descent, and landing scenario for the mars exploration rover mission
The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences ; 55 , 4 ; 421-430
01.12.2007
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Entry, descent, and landing scenario for the mars exploration rover mission
Online Contents | 2007
|Entry, Descent, and Landing Scenario for the Mars Exploration Rover Mission
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004
|Entry, Descent, and Landing Scenario for the Mars Exploration Rover Mission
Online Contents | 2007
|