Use of random Martian atmosphere to evaluate potential entry guidance schemes

Abstract

A random Martian atmosphere was developed and was used with three guidance schemes to determine the effect of random density variations on the guidance. This random atmosphere was shown to be useful for testing the robustness of guidance schemes for vehicles encountering random disturbances during aerobraking for capture into planetary orbit. Levels of disturbance that could be tolerated and areas where performance could be improved were established. The need for Monte Carlo studies to define the excursion boundaries of capture orbit parameters was indicated