Low surface pressure of Martian atmosphere as determined from Mariner IV experiment requires design of ballistic landing capsule with very low ballistic coefficient if terminal retardation by subsonic parachute is employed; restriction results in most of entry vehicle weight being consumed in structure and heat shield with little allowance for payload; use of lifting capsule with about 0.3 lift/drag ratio yields large increases in allowable ballistic coefficient since lift enables capsule to pull out of its initial dive into atmosphere and decelerate to low speeds at higher altitudes than ballistic system with same ballistic coefficient.
Use of lift to increase payload of unmanned Martian landers
J Spacecraft Rockets
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 3 , n 9
1966
5 pages
Article (Journal)
English
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