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
No indication
English
Astronautics , Aircraft , Aircraft engines , Space exploration , General overviews , Space missions , Propulsion system configurations , Nasa space programs , Titan , Pilotless aircraft , Space platforms , Propulsion system performance , Airships , In situ resource utilization , Aircraft fuels , Internal combustion engines , Planetary mapping